How Much Does a Construction Laborer Make? (2025)
A construction laborer is primarily responsible for assisting skilled tradespeople in all phases of construction. They perform a wide range of tasks such as the preparation of building materials, transportation of power tools & heavy equipment, and other forms of physical labor.
BLS sees a projected growth of 7% in employment for construction laborers from 2023 to 2033. This figure is relatively faster compared to the average growth of other occupations.
Salary.com projects the annual average salary of construction laborers in the United States to be $37,471 for 2025. Read on to gain insights about the salary trend of construction laborers, top-paying cities in the US, and some FAQs about the occupation.
What is the Average Construction Laborer’s Salary?
As mentioned above, the projected annual average salary of construction laborers in the United States is $37,471 for 2025. This figure is 2.1% higher than the 2024 median salary of $36,700.
As of December 1, 2024, the average annual salary of construction laborers in the US ranges between $26,957 to $46,825 with most earning $31,600 to $42,000 annually.
2025 Construction Laborer Average Salary: $37,471 per year ($18.40/hour)
2025 Construction Laborer Average Salary: $36,700 per year ($18/hour)
A construction laborer’s average monthly salary is $3,058, while the average weekly pay is $706. Meanwhile, the salary of a construction laborer per hour is $18, according to the Salary.com report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $13 | $518 | $2,246 | $26,957 |
| 25th Percentile | $15 | $608 | $2,633 | $31,600 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $18 | $706 | $3,058 | $36,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $20 | $808 | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $23 | $900 | $3,902 | $46,825 |
Construction Laborer Salaries State by State
Construction laborer salaries may vary across US states depending on key factors such as cost of living, occupation demand, and the construction industry’s performance.
For instance, the highest average annual salary for construction laborers in the United States is $40,800 in the District of Columbia while the lowest is $32,700 in Mississippi.
| States | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $39,900 |
| Alabama | $33,700 |
| Arkansas | $33,400 |
| Arizona | $35,700 |
| California | $40,500 |
| Colorado | $37,400 |
| Connecticut | $39,400 |
| District of Columbia | $40,800 |
| Delaware | $37,200 |
| Florida | $34,900 |
| Georgia | $35,500 |
| Hawaii | $38,300 |
| Iowa | $35,100 |
| Idaho | $34,200 |
| Illinois | $37,500 |
| Indiana | $35,600 |
| Kansas | $34,900 |
| Kentucky | $34,500 |
| Louisiana | $34,900 |
| Massachusetts | $39,900 |
| Maryland | $37,800 |
| Maine | $35,700 |
| Michigan | $36,200 |
| Minnesota | $37,500 |
| Missouri | $35,000 |
| Mississippi | $32,700 |
| Montana | $34,300 |
| North Carolina | $35,200 |
| North Dakota | $36,300 |
| Nebraska | $34,600 |
| New Hampshire | $37,300 |
| New Jersey | $40,200 |
| New Mexico | $33,800 |
| Nevada | $36,800 |
| New York | $39,100 |
| Ohio | $35,900 |
| Oklahoma | $33,900 |
| Oregon | $37,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,600 |
| Rhode Island | $38,300 |
| South Carolina | $34,600 |
| South Dakota | $33,000 |
| Tennessee | $34,000 |
| Texas | $35,900 |
| Utah | $34,900 |
| Virginia | $36,800 |
| Vermont | $36,000 |
| Washington | $39,500 |
| Wisconsin | $36,200 |
| West Virginia | $33,000 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Construction Laborers?
Construction laborer salaries also differ by city due to varying living standards, local market rates, and job demand in metropolitan areas.
The table below shows that the construction industry in California is offering higher average annual salaries, particularly in cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland. Therefore, these cities are prime locations where the demand for construction laborer occupations is considered high.
| Cities | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $46,000 ($22 per hour) |
| San Francisco, California | $45,800 ($22 per hour) |
| Oakland, California | $44,700 ($21 per hour) |
| New York, New York | $42,800 ($21 per hour) |
| Queens Village, New York | $42,500 ($20 per hour) |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $42,300 ($20 per hour) |
How Does Experience Affect Construction Laborer Salaries?
Experience also plays a huge role in increasing the salary for construction laborers. According to a report by Salary.com, an entry-level construction laborer can earn an average annual income of $35,587. On that note, having 2 more years of experience can increase the salary to $36,500.
After 2 to 4 years of experience, the salary of construction laborers could increase to about $38,420. Those specialist construction laborers with 5 to 8 years of experience can earn more with $38,478. Finally, an expert-level construction laborer’s salary is expected to be $38,873 on average.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Construction Laborer | $35,587 |
| Intermediate Level Construction Laborer | $36,500 |
| Senior Level Construction Laborer | $38,240 |
| Specialist Level Construction Laborer | $38,478 |
| Expert Level Construction Laborer | $38,873 |
How to Increase Salary as a Construction Laborer?
A construction laborer is typically an entry-level occupation where workers learn on the job. But for those who want to increase their salary, acquiring highly compensated skills, training, certifications, and career advancements is key.
Boiler Operator Advancements
- Education: Employers may prefer to hire candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent. Construction laborers may also be tasked to help skilled professionals such as electricians, plumbers, and construction managers. This is why having basic knowledge about mathematics, construction technology, etc.
- Training: A construction laborer may also take part in apprenticeship programs where he will undergo on-the-job training combined with technical instruction. Shadowing more experienced construction laborers with proper guidance on the job is also beneficial.
- Credentials: Acquiring licenses, certifications, and registrations also increases a construction laborer’s credibility for a salary increase. Some examples are the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certificate, driver’s license, and other related certifications.
Boiler Operator Skills
Gaining and improving certain in-demand skills is also an effective strategy to increase the wages of construction laborers and also unlock more job openings. As indicated by the Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, a construction laborer with maintenance inspection and equipment maintenance skills can earn a 7.71% and 7.09% increase in salary, respectively.
The table below includes more in-demand skills for construction laborers and their respective influence on their salary:
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Inspection | 3.62% | +7.71% |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.92% | +7.09% |
| Safety Policies and Procedure | 3.92% | +6.93% |
| National Electric Code (NEC Compliance) | 3.52% | +6.78% |
| Machine Operation | 3.32% | +6.18% |
| Material Handling | 4.93% | +6.16% |
| Carpentry | 7.80% | +5.56% |
| Plumbing | 3.32% | +4.14% |
What are the FAQs About Construction Laborer Salaries?
Here are some common questions about construction laborer salary:
What is the highest pay for a construction laborer?
The salary of a construction laborer is highly influenced by several factors including location, experience, and skills. Salary.com reports that the 90th percentile of construction laborers earn an average annual salary of $46,825.
What does a construction laborer do?
A construction laborer’s primary tasks and responsibilities include the following:
- Prepare construction sites by cleaning debris and removing hazards.
- Transport building materials to and from the construction site.
- Assemble and disassemble temporary support structures such as scaffolding.
- Operate hand and power tools like drills, jackhammers, and saws.
- Assist skilled professionals such as plumbers, electricians, cement masons, etc.
Is being a construction laborer difficult?
Yes. Construction work includes intense physical activities. Moreover, their typical work environment poses several health risks due to weather conditions, hazardous equipment, and building materials. This is why construction laborers are often trained to follow safety procedures and protocols like wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
What are the levels of a construction laborer?
A construction laborer’s level may rise depending on his acquisition of relevant skills and experience, which could highly influence his salary and benefits. According to Salary.com, the levels of construction laborers are as follows:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Construction Laborer | 0 |
| Intermediate Level Construction Laborer | > 2 |
| Senior Level Construction Laborer | 2 – 4 |
| Specialist Level Construction Laborer | 5 – 8 |
| Expert Level Construction Laborer | > 8 |
