Construction Laborer Salary in Wilmington, NC
Construction Laborers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median $46,090 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,883 take-home, or $3,157 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median construction laborer salary in Wilmington, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,351
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,858
- Medicare (1.45%)$668
- North Carolina income tax$1,330
- Take-home pay$37,883
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Construction Laborer pay by experience in Wilmington, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,750 | $16.23 | $28,460 | $2,372 |
| 25th percentile | $37,480 | $18.02 | $31,308 | $2,609 |
| Median (50th) | $46,090 | $22.16 | $37,883 | $3,157 |
| 75th percentile | $56,040 | $26.94 | $45,481 | $3,790 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,700 | $32.07 | $53,601 | $4,467 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,090 buys in Wilmington, NC
Prices in Wilmington, NC are 3.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 7% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median construction laborer's $37,883 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,289 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Wilmington, NC 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
Wilmington, NC ranks #166 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 |
| 166 | Wilmington, NC | $46,090 | $37,883 | $39,289 |
*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
- Fayetteville, NC — $43,740
- Durham, NC — $46,560
- Charlotte, NC — $45,850
- Raleigh, NC — $45,650
- Winston, NC — $42,210
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make in Wilmington, NC?
The median construction laborer salary in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $46,090 a year, or about $22.16 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,480 and $56,040.
What is a construction laborer’s take-home pay in Wilmington, NC?
On the median $46,090 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $37,883 a year ($3,157 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,330 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a construction laborer?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $47,120. Local prices are 3.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,289 would in a typical U.S. city. Wilmington, NC ranks #166 of 286 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a construction laborer afford rent in Wilmington, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Wilmington, NC is $1,380 a month ($1,512 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median construction laborer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $70,820
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $56,390
- Electrician — $54,080
- Carpenter — $50,830
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $47,910