How much does a construction helper make?
Answer: A typical construction helper in the United States makes $42,670 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 25,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Construction helper pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32,900 | $42,670 | $60,080 | about 25,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $54,480 | about 1,000 |
| California | $48,430 | about 3,000 |
| Arizona | $47,830 | about 790 |
| Maryland | $44,360 | about 1,000 |
| Virginia | $42,310 | about 550 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can vary with experience, useful skills, and safety or task-specific certificates. It also depends on the employer and job type, location, how complex the work is, and how many hours someone works.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a construction helper do?
All construction trades helpers not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
A helper carries tools and materials, sets up equipment, and hands or holds items while tradespeople work. Later, they clean tools and clear the work area; some days are outdoors in changing weather.
How to get this job
In the U.S., a diploma is usually not required, though some employers prefer high school; most learn on the job, and some enter apprenticeships. Employers may require OSHA-based safety training; teens can do only certain construction jobs from age 16.
Did you know?
Some U.S. construction workers use lasers to place pipes and computers to control robotic pipe cutters—not just shovels and hammers!
Earn more in the same field
Construction and Extraction jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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