Construction Laborer Salary
Construction Laborers earn a median $47,120 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
U.S. median
$47,120
$22.65 per hour
Range
$35,090 – $78,090
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
1,096,780
across the U.S.
▲0.8%
Pay trend: The median for construction laborers in the U.S. rose from $46,730 (May 2024) to $47,120 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.6%.
What construction laborers do
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers. Construction laborers who primarily assist a particular craft worker are classified under "Helpers, Construction Trades" (47-3010).
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.3% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 120,000
- Self-employed
- 27%
Employment of construction laborers is projected to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 120,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Construction Laborer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$40,041
per year · effective tax rate 15.0%
$3,337Monthly
$1,668Twice a month
$1,540Every 2 weeks
$19.25Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,474
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,921
- Medicare (1.45%)$683
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,041
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,090 | $16.87 | $30,375 |
| 25th percentile | $38,620 | $18.57 | $33,211 |
| Median (50th) | $47,120 | $22.65 | $40,041 |
| 75th percentile | $59,740 | $28.72 | $50,181 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,090 | $37.54 | $63,766 |
Best cities for construction laborers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis, MO | $64,500 | $51,912 | $54,593 | 8,670 |
| 2 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $77,960 | $59,280 | $53,424 | 3,040 |
| 3 | Columbus, OH | $60,540 | $49,941 | $52,312 | 5,590 |
| 4 | Cleveland, OH | $57,180 | $47,334 | $50,397 | 5,660 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $68,470 | $53,843 | $48,761 | 4,420 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $72,610 | $56,371 | $48,758 | 11,620 |
| 7 | Milwaukee, WI | $57,430 | $46,579 | $48,051 | 4,740 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $54,930 | $45,588 | $47,801 | 5,700 |
| 9 | Madison, WI | $57,000 | $46,253 | $47,542 | 2,370 |
| 10 | Providence, RI | $59,280 | $48,205 | $47,366 | 3,240 |
| 11 | Minneapolis, MN | $61,970 | $49,282 | $47,015 | 17,330 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $60,890 | $48,236 | $46,562 | 26,690 |
| 13 | Boston, MA | $63,420 | $50,187 | $46,355 | 11,580 |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $57,430 | $46,135 | $45,998 | 11,610 |
| 15 | Sacramento, CA | $60,560 | $48,370 | $45,345 | 7,390 |
| 16 | Seattle, WA | $59,740 | $50,181 | $45,154 | 13,040 |
| 17 | Des Moines, IA | $49,980 | $41,091 | $44,810 | 3,510 |
| 18 | Riverside, CA | $59,500 | $47,595 | $44,715 | 12,120 |
| 19 | Kansas City, MO | $50,500 | $41,321 | $44,650 | 6,580 |
| 20 | Hartford, CT | $56,280 | $45,793 | $44,570 | 2,430 |
| 21 | Philadelphia, PA | $55,120 | $44,777 | $43,662 | 14,580 |
| 22 | Pittsburgh, PA | $50,600 | $41,284 | $43,608 | 8,620 |
| 23 | Indianapolis, IN | $51,040 | $41,714 | $43,591 | 9,840 |
| 24 | Fresno, CA | $55,120 | $44,396 | $43,458 | 2,660 |
| 25 | New York, NY | $61,270 | $48,699 | $43,264 | 50,870 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Urban Honolulu, HI — $77,960
- San Francisco, CA — $72,610
- San Jose, CA — $68,470
- St. Louis, MO — $64,500
- Boston, MA — $63,420
- Minneapolis, MN — $61,970
- New York, NY — $61,270
- Chicago, IL — $60,890
- Sacramento, CA — $60,560
- Columbus, OH — $60,540
- Seattle, WA — $59,740
- Riverside, CA — $59,500
- Providence, RI — $59,280
- Los Angeles, CA — $58,810
- Milwaukee, WI — $57,430
Construction Laborer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,110 | +16.7% | $58,747 | $43,990 – $96,490 | 4,580 |
| New Jersey | $64,060 | +1.4% | $51,661 | $37,980 – $106,140 | 23,590 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | +1.5% | $50,164 | $45,170 – $98,880 | 16,210 |
| Illinois | $60,690 | −6.5% | $48,085 | $38,880 – $105,040 | 35,940 |
| California | $60,270 | −0.4% | $48,158 | $40,950 – $93,620 | 88,240 |
| Minnesota | $60,260 | +2.6% | $48,025 | $42,950 – $96,150 | 28,530 |
| Connecticut | $58,290 | +12.7% | $47,318 | $42,580 – $76,520 | 7,360 |
| Alaska | $58,060 | +0.2% | $48,831 | $37,980 – $83,710 | 3,690 |
| Washington | $57,720 | +0.8% | $48,558 | $39,930 – $95,110 | 25,060 |
| Rhode Island | $57,240 | −1.8% | $46,643 | $39,480 – $88,620 | 2,110 |
| Missouri | $56,730 | +5.4% | $46,034 | $37,870 – $83,470 | 17,050 |
| Wisconsin | $56,100 | +7.9% | $45,569 | $37,990 – $80,920 | 20,330 |
| Ohio | $56,080 | +13.0% | $46,480 | $37,370 – $79,110 | 31,910 |
| New York | $55,930 | −3.0% | $44,697 | $34,320 – $96,590 | 52,090 |
| Oregon | $50,860 | +1.8% | $39,425 | $39,210 – $78,410 | 12,620 |
| Indiana | $50,070 | +1.1% | $40,964 | $36,570 – $74,740 | 28,600 |
| District of Columbia | $50,020 | +1.0% | $40,536 | $37,190 – $72,320 | 2,090 |
| New Hampshire | $49,980 | +4.2% | $42,339 | $38,020 – $63,310 | 4,330 |
| Montana | $49,830 | +1.2% | $40,633 | $37,720 – $63,980 | 4,590 |
| Michigan | $49,590 | +1.9% | $40,169 | $37,220 – $69,890 | 28,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,400 | +1.9% | $40,356 | $37,480 – $74,670 | 35,920 |
| North Dakota | $49,070 | +1.5% | $41,608 | $38,990 – $71,210 | 5,050 |
| Nevada | $48,990 | +2.5% | $41,543 | $36,400 – $76,660 | 11,890 |
| Vermont | $48,580 | +4.0% | $40,020 | $39,130 – $61,710 | 1,430 |
| Iowa | $48,490 | +1.7% | $39,951 | $38,180 – $68,900 | 13,780 |
| Colorado | $47,900 | +2.7% | $39,268 | $38,410 – $62,010 | 18,680 |
| Nebraska | $47,260 | +1.1% | $38,883 | $36,400 – $61,780 | 8,530 |
| Maryland | $46,960 | +1.4% | $38,045 | $36,430 – $61,670 | 20,920 |
| Idaho | $46,940 | +3.4% | $38,517 | $36,560 – $63,190 | 10,850 |
| Arizona | $46,590 | +0.8% | $38,659 | $36,770 – $60,930 | 37,630 |
| Utah | $46,550 | +1.0% | $38,454 | $34,890 – $63,310 | 20,950 |
| Maine | $46,430 | +2.0% | $37,534 | $36,190 – $60,520 | 3,960 |
| Wyoming | $46,030 | +0.4% | $39,165 | $35,640 – $57,590 | 3,350 |
| Kentucky | $45,710 | +0.8% | $37,426 | $33,770 – $60,200 | 13,280 |
| South Dakota | $45,710 | +5.2% | $38,908 | $35,180 – $52,350 | 1,780 |
| Delaware | $45,550 | −0.1% | $36,928 | $33,240 – $63,730 | 3,240 |
| Tennessee | $45,000 | +1.9% | $38,338 | $34,910 – $59,990 | 26,250 |
| Kansas | $44,840 | +0.1% | $36,507 | $31,500 – $60,070 | 9,990 |
| North Carolina | $44,720 | +5.8% | $36,837 | $31,850 – $59,970 | 35,620 |
| Florida | $44,030 | +7.9% | $37,558 | $33,280 – $58,900 | 87,040 |
| Virginia | $43,560 | +8.3% | $35,490 | $32,900 – $57,110 | 25,830 |
| South Carolina | $42,940 | +3.9% | $35,263 | $31,200 – $63,370 | 19,620 |
| West Virginia | $42,670 | +10.1% | $35,270 | $30,770 – $60,550 | 6,620 |
| Texas | $40,620 | +6.4% | $34,818 | $32,560 – $56,930 | 123,250 |
| Oklahoma | $39,360 | −1.6% | $32,580 | $33,490 – $58,070 | 13,710 |
| Georgia | $38,990 | +2.7% | $32,108 | $27,880 – $56,450 | 27,800 |
| New Mexico | $38,400 | −0.3% | $32,351 | $30,840 – $53,590 | 12,470 |
| Louisiana | $38,230 | −5.0% | $32,137 | $29,650 – $60,090 | 22,100 |
| Mississippi | $37,710 | +1.4% | $31,704 | $29,370 – $52,640 | 8,800 |
| Arkansas | $37,630 | +1.6% | $31,161 | $30,850 – $48,410 | 10,650 |
| Alabama | $36,900 | +1.7% | $30,249 | $23,980 – $49,740 | 18,400 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipelayer | $49,000 | No formal educational credential | -3.1% |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,120 | No formal educational credential | +2.4% |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,400 | No formal educational credential | +3.0% |
| Carpet Installer | $50,340 | No formal educational credential | -16.4% |
| Floor Sander and Finisher | $50,440 | No formal educational credential | +1.4% |
| Paperhanger | $52,140 | No formal educational credential | +4.3% |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $53,140 | High school diploma or equivalent | +36.5% |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $53,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.9% |
| Roofer | $55,440 | No formal educational credential | +5.3% |
| Tile and Stone Setter | $55,690 | No formal educational credential | +9.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make?
The national median salary for construction laborers is $47,120 a year ($22.65 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,090 and the top 10% earn over $78,090. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays construction laborers the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $77,110. After taxes and local prices, St. Louis, MO offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many construction laborers are there in the U.S.?
About 1,096,780 people work as construction laborers nationwide.
All 76 cities
- Albany, NY
- Albuquerque, NM
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Beaumont, TX
- Birmingham, AL
- Boise City, ID
- Boston, MA
- Buffalo, NY
- Cape Coral, FL
- Charleston, SC
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbia, SC
- Columbus, OH
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Des Moines, IA
- Detroit, MI
- Fresno, CA
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Greenville, SC
- Hartford, CT
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jacksonville, FL
- Kansas City, MO
- Knoxville, TN
- Lakeland, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Little Rock, AR
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Madison, WI
- Memphis, TN
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- North Port, FL
- Ogden, UT
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Omaha, NE
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Providence, RI
- Provo, UT
- Raleigh, NC
- Reno, NV
- Richmond, VA
- Riverside, CA
- Rochester, NY
- Sacramento, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Tucson, AZ
- Tulsa, OK
- Urban Honolulu, HI
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC