How much does a construction worker make?
Answer: A typical construction worker in the United States makes $49,910 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 28,000 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 worker 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,510 | $49,910 | $78,700 | about 28,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $70,540 | about 960 |
| California | $60,890 | about 3,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,950 | about 620 |
| Colorado | $54,380 | about 1,000 |
| Ohio | $54,020 | about 1,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience, useful skills, safety certificates, the kind of employer, and location can all affect pay. Specialized or harder tasks and the hours or shifts worked can also make a difference.
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 worker do?
What's a typical day like?
They arrive at a job site, clear debris, move supplies, and dig or prepare tools for the next stage. They may use drills or saws and help electricians or plumbers, then tidy the work area.
How to get this job
In the U.S., no special degree is usually needed; some employers prefer a high-school diploma, and new workers learn on the job. Some train through apprenticeships and safety courses; teens may do limited construction work from age 16.
Did you know?
In the U.S., teens can work on construction sites at 16, but under-18s may do only limited jobs and use limited tools.
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/oes/2023/May/oes474090.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-4091.00
- 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