What Construction Laborers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Construction Laborers this way: "Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards"; "Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities"; "Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials"; "Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes"; "Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Construction Laborers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,489,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,598,600 in 2035, an increase of 109,300 jobs (+7.3%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 120,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 26.9% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $47,120, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Construction Laborers earn the most
Across the 28 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $40,323 in Georgia to $62,018 in Massachusetts, a gap of $21,695 (1.54 times). 19 of those 28 states average above the BLS national median of $47,120 and 9 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 119,330, which is 10.8% of the 1,101,550 counted across them. California follows with 86,580.
Highest-paying states
Massachusetts ($62,018), California ($61,023) and Illinois ($60,739) lead the ranking, while Georgia ($40,323) and Texas ($41,483) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Construction Laborers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 43 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in St. Louis County, MO (St. Louis, MO-IL) at $31,653. The smallest margin is $4,375 in Montgomery County, MD.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 43 of the 43 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 25.6% and 69.0% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Construction Laborers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (47-2000) include Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, Electricians, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators and Carpenters.
Frequently asked questions about Construction Laborers
What is the national median wage for Construction Laborers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $47,120. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $40,323 to $62,018.
Which state pays Construction Laborers the most?
Massachusetts, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $62,018. California is next at $61,023.
What is the job outlook for Construction Laborers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 7.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 120,000 openings a year.
What education do Construction Laborers need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Construction Laborers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, St. Louis County, MO leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $31,653 on a median wage of $64,500.