Construction laborer
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). Federal job definition
How people get into it
Some construction laborers complete apprenticeship programs.
Apprenticeship programs, which are usually sponsored by local unions or trade associations, combine on-the-job training with technical instruction.
For example, an electrician’s helper might earn a high school equivalency to enter an electrician apprenticeship and, eventually, go on to become an electrician .
- Typical education to start
- No formal educational credential
- Typical training on the job
- Short-term on-the-job training
Registered apprenticeships are run by employers, unions and industry groups. To find openings near you, search the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship finder, or contact your state's apprenticeship office.
What it pays
Yearly pay for all workers in this job nationally, including experienced ones. Apprentices usually start lower and get raises as they advance.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025Median pay by state (51 states)
| State | Median pay | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,900 | 18,400 |
| Alaska | $58,060 | 3,690 |
| Arizona | $46,590 | 37,630 |
| Arkansas | $37,630 | 10,650 |
| California | $60,270 | 88,240 |
| Colorado | $47,900 | 18,680 |
| Connecticut | $58,290 | 7,360 |
| Delaware | $45,550 | 3,240 |
| District of Columbia | $50,020 | 2,090 |
| Florida | $44,030 | 87,040 |
| Georgia | $38,990 | 27,800 |
| Hawaii | $77,110 | 4,580 |
| Idaho | $46,940 | 10,850 |
| Illinois | $60,690 | 35,940 |
| Indiana | $50,070 | 28,600 |
| Iowa | $48,490 | 13,780 |
| Kansas | $44,840 | 9,990 |
| Kentucky | $45,710 | 13,280 |
| Louisiana | $38,230 | 22,100 |
| Maine | $46,430 | 3,960 |
| Maryland | $46,960 | 20,920 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | 16,210 |
| Michigan | $49,590 | 28,490 |
| Minnesota | $60,260 | 28,530 |
| Mississippi | $37,710 | 8,800 |
| Missouri | $56,730 | 17,050 |
| Montana | $49,830 | 4,590 |
| Nebraska | $47,260 | 8,530 |
| Nevada | $48,990 | 11,890 |
| New Hampshire | $49,980 | 4,330 |
| New Jersey | $64,060 | 23,590 |
| New Mexico | $38,400 | 12,470 |
| New York | $55,930 | 52,090 |
| North Carolina | $44,720 | 35,620 |
| North Dakota | $49,070 | 5,050 |
| Ohio | $56,080 | 31,910 |
| Oklahoma | $39,360 | 13,710 |
| Oregon | $50,860 | 12,620 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,400 | 35,920 |
| Rhode Island | $57,240 | 2,110 |
| South Carolina | $42,940 | 19,620 |
| South Dakota | $45,710 | 1,780 |
| Tennessee | $45,000 | 26,250 |
| Texas | $40,620 | 123,250 |
| Utah | $46,550 | 20,950 |
| Vermont | $48,580 | 1,430 |
| Virginia | $43,560 | 25,830 |
| Washington | $57,720 | 25,060 |
| West Virginia | $42,670 | 6,620 |
| Wisconsin | $56,100 | 20,330 |
| Wyoming | $46,030 | 3,350 |
Job outlook
- People in this job
- 1,489,300
- Openings each year
- 120,000projected average, 2025–35, including people retiring or changing jobs
- Change in jobs
- +7.3%expected to grow 7.3%, 2025–35
Where these numbers come from
Pay comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' wage survey (May 2025). Jobs, openings, growth, education and training come from BLS Employment Projections (2025–35). The description of the job is the federal Standard Occupational Classification definition, and the quote is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. For how many apprentices there are in each state, see the Department of Labor's apprentices by state dashboard. Updated November 5, 2026.