Construction Laborer Salary in Dubuque, IA
Construction Laborers in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median $48,800 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,188 take-home, or $3,349 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median construction laborer salary in Dubuque, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,676
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,026
- Medicare (1.45%)$708
- Iowa income tax$1,203
- Take-home pay$40,188
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Construction Laborer pay by experience in Dubuque, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,770 | $18.64 | $32,510 | $2,709 |
| 25th percentile | $46,530 | $22.37 | $38,451 | $3,204 |
| Median (50th) | $48,800 | $23.46 | $40,188 | $3,349 |
| 75th percentile | $60,010 | $28.85 | $48,769 | $4,064 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,540 | $36.80 | $60,419 | $5,035 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,800 buys in Dubuque, IA
Prices in Dubuque, IA are 12.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 36% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median construction laborer's $40,188 take-home pay has the buying power of $46,020 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Dubuque, IA has 1.2× the national concentration of construction laborer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for construction laborers, adjusted for cost of living
Dubuque, IA ranks #58 of 286 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vineland, NJ | $83,680 | $64,558 | $67,271 |
| 2 | Trenton, NJ | $71,920 | $57,000 | $55,243 |
| 3 | Kahului, HI | $79,760 | $60,410 | $55,222 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $61,340 | $48,819 | $54,996 |
| 5 | Decatur, IL | $61,270 | $48,522 | $54,876 |
| 6 | St. Louis, MO | $64,500 | $51,912 | $54,593 |
| 7 | Peoria, IL | $62,960 | $49,797 | $54,583 |
| 8 | Jefferson City, MO | $58,220 | $47,161 | $53,607 |
| 58 | Dubuque, IA | $48,800 | $40,188 | $46,020 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 286 metros →
Construction Laborer salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $54,380
- Waterloo, IA — $49,950
- Sioux City, IA — $48,630
- Ames, IA — $49,810
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $48,670
- Des Moines, IA — $49,980
- Iowa City, IA — $47,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make in Dubuque, IA?
The median construction laborer salary in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $48,800 a year, or about $23.46 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,530 and $60,010.
What is a construction laborer’s take-home pay in Dubuque, IA?
On the median $48,800 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $40,188 a year ($3,349 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,203 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Dubuque, IA a good place to work as a construction laborer?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $47,120. Local prices are 12.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $46,020 would in a typical U.S. city. Dubuque, IA ranks #58 of 286 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a construction laborer afford rent in Dubuque, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Dubuque, IA is $841 a month ($1,077 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median construction laborer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.