How much does a construction laborer make?
The median construction laborer in the United States earns $47,120 per year, about $22.66 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all construction laborers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-2061.
Construction laborer salary range
Pay for construction laborers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $78,090. The average (mean) wage of $52,030 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,090 | $16.87 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,620 | $18.57 | |
| Median (50th) | $47,120 | $22.66 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,740 | $28.72 | |
| 90th percentile | $78,090 | $37.54 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for construction laborers (SOC 47-2061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Construction laborer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Construction laborers earn the most in Hawaii at $77,110 a year, and the least in Alabama at $36,900. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,110 | 4,580 |
| New Jersey | $64,060 | 23,590 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | 16,210 |
| Illinois | $60,690 | 35,940 |
| California | $60,270 | 88,240 |
| Minnesota | $60,260 | 28,530 |
| Connecticut | $58,290 | 7,360 |
| Alaska | $58,060 | 3,690 |
| Washington | $57,720 | 25,060 |
| Rhode Island | $57,240 | 2,110 |
| Missouri | $56,730 | 17,050 |
| Wisconsin | $56,100 | 20,330 |
| Ohio | $56,080 | 31,910 |
| New York | $55,930 | 52,090 |
| Oregon | $50,860 | 12,620 |
| Indiana | $50,070 | 28,600 |
| District of Columbia | $50,020 | 2,090 |
| New Hampshire | $49,980 | 4,330 |
| Montana | $49,830 | 4,590 |
| Michigan | $49,590 | 28,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,400 | 35,920 |
| North Dakota | $49,070 | 5,050 |
| Nevada | $48,990 | 11,890 |
| Vermont | $48,580 | 1,430 |
| Iowa | $48,490 | 13,780 |
| Colorado | $47,900 | 18,680 |
| Nebraska | $47,260 | 8,530 |
| Maryland | $46,960 | 20,920 |
| Idaho | $46,940 | 10,850 |
| Arizona | $46,590 | 37,630 |
| Utah | $46,550 | 20,950 |
| Maine | $46,430 | 3,960 |
| Wyoming | $46,030 | 3,350 |
| Kentucky | $45,710 | 13,280 |
| South Dakota | $45,710 | 1,780 |
| Delaware | $45,550 | 3,240 |
| Tennessee | $45,000 | 26,250 |
| Kansas | $44,840 | 9,990 |
| North Carolina | $44,720 | 35,620 |
| Florida | $44,030 | 87,040 |
| Virginia | $43,560 | 25,830 |
| South Carolina | $42,940 | 19,620 |
| West Virginia | $42,670 | 6,620 |
| Texas | $40,620 | 123,250 |
| Oklahoma | $39,360 | 13,710 |
| Georgia | $38,990 | 27,800 |
| New Mexico | $38,400 | 12,470 |
| Louisiana | $38,230 | 22,100 |
| Mississippi | $37,710 | 8,800 |
| Arkansas | $37,630 | 10,650 |
| Alabama | $36,900 | 18,400 |
State median wages for construction laborers (SOC 47-2061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for construction laborers
The BLS projects employment of construction laborers to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,489,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,598,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 120,000 openings a year for construction laborers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a construction laborer
The typical entry-level education for construction laborers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a construction laborer earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $77,110) and the lowest (Alabama, $36,900) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,096,780 people work as construction laborers in the United States. At $47,120 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Construction laborer salary FAQ
How much does a construction laborer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a construction laborer is $22.66. The middle half of construction laborers earn between $18.57 and $28.72 per hour.
What is the highest construction laborer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of construction laborers earn more than $78,090 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a construction laborer make a year?
The median annual salary for a construction laborer is $47,120. The average (mean) wage of $52,030 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a construction laborer a well paid job?
At $47,120 a year, a construction laborer earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,096,780 people work as construction laborers in the United States.
Which state pays construction laborers the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for construction laborers at $77,110 a year. New Jersey ($64,060) and Massachusetts ($63,390) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a construction laborer a good career?
Employment of construction laborers is projected to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 120,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a construction laborer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for construction laborers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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