Who Earns What

How much does a construction worker make?

US Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers
$49,910

a year · about $24 an hour

A typical construction worker in the United States makes $49,910 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

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.

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.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$49,910
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $36,510 and $78,700
50 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

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.

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.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in Massachusetts ($70,540), lowest in Florida ($45,120).

See every state
Whole US$49,910
Massachusetts$70,540
California$60,890
Pennsylvania$54,950
Colorado$54,380
Ohio$54,020
North Carolina$47,510
Georgia$46,430
Florida$45,120

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

Jobs like this

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Construction worker pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$36,510$49,910$78,700about 28,000
States where construction workers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Massachusetts$70,540about 960
California$60,890about 3,000
Pennsylvania$54,950about 620
Colorado$54,380about 1,000
Ohio$54,020about 1,000

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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY