Tennessee Median
$45,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $47,120
State Rank
#37 of 51
26,250 employed here
How much does a Construction Laborer make in Tennessee?
A Construction Laborer working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $45,000 per year, or about $21.63 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $47,120 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $34,910 while the top 10% make $59,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,670 and $49,450 a year.
Construction Laborer salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,910 | $16.78 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,670 | $18.11 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,000 | $21.63 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,450 | $23.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,990 | $28.84 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 37th 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 $60,690California $60,270Minnesota $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 $45,550Kansas $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($45,000) 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 Tennessee?
The median Construction Laborer salary in Tennessee is $45,000 per year, or about $21.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,910 at the entry level to $59,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Construction Laborers about 4% less than the national median of $47,120. Tennessee ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Construction Laborers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $45,000 a year. About 26,250 Construction Laborers are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Construction Laborer salary report
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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.