Construction Laborers Salary
The median construction laborers salary in the United States is $47,120 per year ($22.66/hour). Salaries range from $35,090 at the entry level to $78,090+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 1,096,780 construction laborers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 7.3% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Distribution
Job Growth (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
Education Required
Training Needed
Construction Laborers Career Guide
Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for construction laborerss.
Construction laborers perform physical labor at construction sites β residential, commercial, infrastructure, industrial. Career splits: residential construction (homes + additions + remodels), commercial (office buildings, retail, hospitals, hotels), infrastructure (roads, bridges, utility work), industrial (refineries, power plants, factories). Path is entry-level with meaningful advancement through skill acquisition, trade specialization, and union apprenticeship. Compensation: entry $32-45k typical; skilled laborers + operators $45-72k; foremen $65-95k; superintendents + estimators $75-125k+. Union laborers earn 30-50% more than non-union + strong pension. Best pay: Northeast/West Coast + union projects. Trade specialization (concrete, framing, electrical helper, plumbing helper) accelerates career.
Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For
How to Become a Construction Laborers
- 1Age 18+ (16-17 in some states for non-hazardous work)Age restrictions vary. OSHA requires age for most construction work.
- 2High school diploma preferred but not requiredBasic reading + math + measurement skills expected.
- 3Apply to construction company or union hallNon-union: direct application to residential + commercial contractors. Union: apply to Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) or trade-specific union apprenticeship.
- 4Complete OSHA 10-hour + basic safety trainingRequired for most job sites. $60-150 course. Online or in-person.
- 5First job: general laborer under foremanLearn on-the-job. Move heavy materials, set up job sites, cleanup, assist skilled trades.
- 6Union Apprenticeship (if pursuing union track)3-4 year paid apprenticeship. Earn while you learn. Progressive wage increases. Guaranteed journeyman status upon completion.
- 7Specialize (concrete, framing, drywall, electrical helper, plumbing helper)Trade specialization commands premium wages. Higher-skill work available.
- 8Move to foreman β superintendent β estimator β project managerCareer progression from labor to management + business. Higher pay + benefits + white-collar career eventually.
Career Progression
- β’Basic site tasks (cleanup, material moving, assist)
- β’Learning trade skills
- β’Following foreman direction
- β’Independent skilled tasks
- β’Cross-trade experience
- β’Training new laborers
- β’Specialty trade work
- β’Equipment operation
- β’Higher-skill supervision
- β’Supervise crew of 5-15
- β’Job site management
- β’Coordinate with GC + trades
- β’Multi-site oversight
- β’Schedule + safety + quality management
- β’Client + subcontractor relations
- β’Full project P&L
- β’Bidding + contract negotiation
- β’Business development
Interview Questions & Answers
5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 12 total plus resume bullets for every level.
Q1. Tell me about your construction experience.situational
Q2. How do you handle working in bad weather?situational
Q3. Tell me about a safety incident you observed or experienced.behavioral
Q4. Why our company / this trade?culture
Q5. How do you handle physical demands of the work?situational
Resume Template β Experienced Construction Laborer (3-6 yrs)
Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.
- βΈConstruction Laborer + Concrete Finisher, [Contractor], 4 years residential + commercial concrete work.
- βΈOSHA 10-hour + Fall Protection + Confined Space + Rigging + Signaling certifications.
- βΈPerfect safety record + zero lost-time injuries over 4-year tenure.
- βΈCertified equipment operator (skid steer, mini excavator, compactor). Bilingual English + Spanish.
What Gets You Rejected
- βAttendance issues.
- βPoor safety awareness or PPE compliance.
- βSubstance abuse concerns.
- βBad-mouthing prior contractor or supervisor.
- βWeak team communication.
- βNot physically capable of trade demands.
- βFailed drug test.
- βHistory of accidents.
- βPoor work ethic or coaching resistance.
Salary Negotiation Levers
- βHourly rate + trade + certifications matter significantly.
- βUnion vs non-union β union pays 30-50% more + strong pension + benefits.
- βSign-on bonus $500-3,000 in high-demand markets.
- βOvertime premium (many construction jobs are 45+ hrs/week during season).
- βPer diem + travel pay for out-of-town projects.
- βFull benefits (health, dental, retirement) via union pension fund.
- βCertifications = pay premium (OSHA 30, CDL, forklift, equipment).
- βPTO + sick time.
- βCompany vehicle or truck (some skilled roles).
- βCareer path to foreman + superintendent.
Construction Laborers Resume Review β $29
Personalized resume review from someone who has hired construction laborerss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.
- β Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
- β Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
- β Missing skills / keywords flagged
- β Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
- β 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it
Construction Laborers Career Kit β $19
- β All 12 interview questions with expert answers
- β 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
- β Interview format intel for 8 top employers
- β 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
- β Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
- β 30β60β90 day plan for your first role
- β Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
- β Detailed salary negotiation script
- β Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
- β Downloadable PDF for offline access
- β Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.
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Construction Laborers Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) βSalary Map β Click a state for details
Top Paying States
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,110 | +63.6% |
| New Jersey | $64,060 | +36.0% |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | +34.5% |
| Illinois | $60,690 | +28.8% |
| California | $60,270 | +27.9% |
| Minnesota | $60,260 | +27.9% |
| Connecticut | $58,290 | +23.7% |
| Alaska | $58,060 | +23.2% |
| Washington | $57,720 | +22.5% |
| Rhode Island | $57,240 | +21.5% |
Construction Laborers Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Vineland, NJ | $83,680 | +77.6% |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $79,760 | +69.3% |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $77,960 | +65.4% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $72,610 | +54.1% |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $71,920 | +52.6% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $68,470 | +45.3% |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $64,500 | +36.9% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $63,420 | +34.6% |
| Peoria, IL | $62,960 | +33.6% |
| Springfield, MA | $62,660 | +33.0% |