Construction Laborer Salary in Raleigh, NC
Construction Laborers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $45,650 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,547 take-home, or $3,129 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$3,298
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,830
- Medicare (1.45%)$662
- North Carolina income tax$1,313
- Take-home pay$37,547
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Construction Laborer pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,880 | $17.25 | $30,087 | $2,507 |
| 25th percentile | $38,080 | $18.31 | $31,767 | $2,647 |
| Median (50th) | $45,650 | $21.95 | $37,547 | $3,129 |
| 75th percentile | $49,450 | $23.77 | $40,449 | $3,371 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,860 | $28.78 | $48,398 | $4,033 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,650 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median construction laborer's $37,547 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,252 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC 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
Raleigh, NC ranks #189 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 |
| 189 | Raleigh, NC | $45,650 | $37,547 | $38,252 |
*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 North Carolina
- Hickory, NC — $44,550
- Asheville, NC — $47,520
- Greenville, NC — $42,420
- Wilmington, NC — $46,090
- Fayetteville, NC — $43,740
- Durham, NC — $46,560
- Charlotte, NC — $45,850
- Winston, NC — $42,210
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make in Raleigh, NC?
The median construction laborer salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $45,650 a year, or about $21.95 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,080 and $49,450.
What is a construction laborer’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $45,650 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $37,547 a year ($3,129 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,313 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a construction laborer?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $47,120. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,252 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #189 of 286 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a construction laborer afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median construction laborer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $77,690
- Construction and Building Inspector — $67,840
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $60,540
- Electrician — $56,800
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $51,110
- Carpenter — $50,820
- Roofer — $50,720
- Sheet Metal Worker — $50,570
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators — $48,590
- Pipelayer — $48,390
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $47,430
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall — $46,030