How much does a construction worker make?
a year · about $23 an hour
A typical construction worker in the United States makes $47,120 a year, about $23 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They clear debris, move materials, dig trenches, and set up tools before helping skilled workers on the site. Depending on the project, they may use drills or jackhammers outdoors, sometimes in rough weather.
Did you know? Some US construction laborers use lasers to line up pipes and computers to control robotic pipe cutters.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $35,090 and $78,090How do you become one?
US workers usually need no diploma, though some employers prefer one; some site jobs are open at 16, but hazardous tasks are barred until 18. They learn on the job or in union/trade apprenticeships, and employers often require OSHA safety training.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with experience, useful skills or certifications, and harder or specialized tasks. It also depends on the employer, location, and hours worked; some projects need overnight shifts.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Hawaii ($77,110), lowest in Alabama ($36,900).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a construction worker averages $31,125. Construction worker salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,090 | $47,120 | $78,090 | about 1.1 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,110 | about 5,000 |
| New Jersey | $64,060 | about 24,000 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | about 16,000 |
| Illinois | $60,690 | about 36,000 |
| California | $60,270 | about 88,000 |
Official definition: 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. Construction laborers who primarily assist a particular craft worker are classified under “Helpers, Construction Trades” (47-3010). Excludes “Hazardous Materials Removal Workers” (47-4041).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/construction-laborers-and-helpers.ht
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.osha.gov/young-workers-construction/appropriate-jobs
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY