How much does a construction boss make?
a year · about $38 an hour
A typical construction boss in the United States makes $79,920 a year, about $38 an hour, about 1.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check blueprints, assign jobs, and walk the site to see whether crews are working safely and on schedule. They solve problems, coordinate materials or equipment, and record progress for managers.
Did you know? O*NET reports that 59% of U.S. construction supervisors work outdoors in all kinds of weather every day.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $53,280 and $128,260How do you become one?
Learn a trade through vocational school or apprenticeship, then gain experience; this is usually a move-up job after years in the workforce. Licensing varies by state and project; Massachusetts requires licensed oversight on some jobs.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience, useful trade skills or credentials, the employer or industry, and the job’s responsibility can all affect pay. Location and hours matter too, and schedules may change with weather or project demands.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($109,570), lowest in Arkansas ($61,230).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $53,280 | $79,920 | $128,260 | about 812,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $109,570 | about 20,000 |
| Illinois | $105,750 | about 19,000 |
| New Jersey | $105,510 | about 16,000 |
| Oregon | $103,070 | about 8,000 |
| Hawaii | $102,630 | about 3,000 |
Official definition: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
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.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-1011.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/47-1011.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes471011.htm
- www.mass.gov/info-details/when-is-a-construction-supervisor-license-required
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY