California Median
$60,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+28% vs US median
US median $47,120
State Rank
#5 of 51
88,240 employed here
How much does a Construction Laborer make in California?
Construction Laborers in California take home a median of $60,270 annually — roughly $28.98 an hour — which runs 28% above the national median of $47,120.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $40,950 while the top 10% make $93,620 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,140 and $78,520 a year.
Construction Laborer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,950 | $19.69 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,140 | $23.14 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,270 | $28.98 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $78,520 | $37.75 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,620 | $45.01 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories for Construction Laborer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Construction Laborer salary in other states
Hawaii $77,110New Jersey $64,060Massachusetts $63,390Illinois $60,690Minnesota $60,260Connecticut $58,290Alaska $58,060Washington $57,720Rhode Island $57,240Missouri $56,730Wisconsin $56,100Ohio $56,080New York $55,930Oregon $50,860Indiana $50,070District of Columbia $50,020New Hampshire $49,980Montana $49,830Michigan $49,590Pennsylvania $49,400North Dakota $49,070Nevada $48,990Vermont $48,580Iowa $48,490Colorado $47,900Nebraska $47,260Maryland $46,960Idaho $46,940Arizona $46,590Utah $46,550Maine $46,430Wyoming $46,030Kentucky $45,710South Dakota $45,710Delaware $45,550Tennessee $45,000Kansas $44,840North Carolina $44,720Florida $44,030Virginia $43,560South Carolina $42,940West Virginia $42,670Texas $40,620Oklahoma $39,360Georgia $38,990New Mexico $38,400Louisiana $38,230Mississippi $37,710Arkansas $37,630Alabama $36,900
Working as a Construction Laborer in California
Nationally, about 1,097,000 people work as Construction Laborers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($60,270) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Construction Laborer make in California?
The median Construction Laborer salary in California is $60,270 per year, or about $28.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,950 at the entry level to $93,620 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Construction Laborers about 28% more than the national median of $47,120. California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Construction Laborers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,270 a year. About 88,240 Construction Laborers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Construction Laborer salary report
Related salaries
$60,190
median pay · 19,000 employed
$42,670
median pay · 25,000 employed
$49,400
median pay · 225,000 employed
$47,980
median pay · 24,000 employed
$44,160
median pay · 6,000 employed
$55,690
median pay · 36,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.