Construction Laborer Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Construction Laborers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median $36,460 a year — 23% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,918 take-home, or $2,493 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median construction laborer salary in Tuscaloosa, AL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,195
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,261
- Medicare (1.45%)$529
- Alabama income tax$1,558
- Take-home pay$29,918
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Construction Laborer pay by experience in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,270 | $10.71 | $19,101 | $1,592 |
| 25th percentile | $30,360 | $14.60 | $25,321 | $2,110 |
| Median (50th) | $36,460 | $17.53 | $29,918 | $2,493 |
| 75th percentile | $43,020 | $20.68 | $34,861 | $2,905 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,850 | $23.00 | $38,500 | $3,208 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alabama resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,460 buys in Tuscaloosa, AL
Prices in Tuscaloosa, AL are 12.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 42% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median construction laborer's $29,918 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,105 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Tuscaloosa, AL has 1.4× 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
Tuscaloosa, AL ranks #274 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 |
| 274 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $36,460 | $29,918 | $34,105 |
*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 Alabama
- Decatur, AL — $37,680
- Florence, AL — $36,260
- Mobile, AL — $36,830
- Birmingham, AL — $38,370
- Auburn, AL — $36,110
- Montgomery, AL — $36,630
- Daphne, AL — $38,440
- Huntsville, AL — $37,510
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median construction laborer salary in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $36,460 a year, or about $17.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,360 and $43,020.
What is a construction laborer’s take-home pay in Tuscaloosa, AL?
On the median $36,460 salary, a single filer living in Alabama takes home about $29,918 a year ($2,493 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,558 in Alabama taxes in 2026.
Is Tuscaloosa, AL a good place to work as a construction laborer?
Pay here is 23% below the national median of $47,120. Local prices are 12.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,105 would in a typical U.S. city. Tuscaloosa, AL ranks #274 of 286 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a construction laborer afford rent in Tuscaloosa, AL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tuscaloosa, AL is $943 a month ($1,141 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median construction laborer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.