Median Salary
$47,120
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$22.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$78,090
entry level starts ~$35,090
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 1,097,000 employed
How much does a Construction Laborer make?
The median pay for a Construction Laborer in the United States is $47,120 per year — about $22.65 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $35,090, while the most experienced Construction Laborers in the top 10% earn $78,090.
That is $14,270 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Construction Laborer salary range by percentile
Half of all Construction Laborers earn between $38,620 and $59,740 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,090 | $16.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,620 | $18.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,120 | $22.65 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,740 | $28.72 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,090 | $37.54 |
|
Highest-paying states for Construction Laborer
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Hawaii leads the country for Construction Laborer pay at $77,110 a year, followed by New Jersey ($64,060) and Massachusetts ($63,390). At the other end, Alabama posts the lowest median at $36,900 — a gap of $40,210 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Construction Laborer salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $45,550Tennessee $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
Workforce and education
About 1,097,000 people work as Construction Laborers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $52,030 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Construction Laborer make in the United States?
The median Construction Laborer salary in the United States is $47,120 per year, or about $22.65 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $35,090, while the top 10% of earners make $78,090 or more.
How does Construction Laborer pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Construction Laborer median of $47,120 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Construction Laborers the most?
Hawaii is the highest-paying state for Construction Laborers, with a median salary of $77,110 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Construction Laborer?
Becoming a Construction Laborer typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Construction Laborers work in the United States?
About 1,097,000 people were employed as Construction Laborers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
Related salaries
Other construction & trades roles with similar pay.
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median pay · 19,000 employed
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.