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Construction Laborer

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What is a Construction Laborer?

Position Description 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.

Life As a Construction Laborer

  • Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.
  • Provide assistance to craft workers, such as carpenters, plasterers, or masons.
  • Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
  • Use computers or other input devices to control robotic pipe cutters or cleaners.
  • Position or dismantle forms for pouring concrete, using saws, hammers, nails, or bolts.
  • Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.

Skills Needed to be a Construction Laborer

Below is a list of the skills most Construction Laborers say are important on the job.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Types of Construction Laborer

  • Grout Machine Operator
  • Concrete Buster Operator
  • Water Proofer
  • Joint Filler
  • Construction Craft Laborer

Construction Laborer Job Outlook

There were about 1,216,700 jobs for Construction Laborer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 150,400 new jobs for Construction Laborer by 2026. There will be an estimated 145,300 positions for Construction Laborer per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Construction Laborer are Utah, Colorado, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Construction Laborer

The salary for Construction Laborers ranges between about $23,460 and $65,590 a year.

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Construction Laborers who work in Hawaii, Illinois, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.

How much do Construction Laborers make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $32,000
Alaska $51,470
Arizona $36,000
Arkansas $29,070
California $48,250
Colorado $36,520
Connecticut $49,700
Delaware $35,640
District of Columbia $42,200
Florida $31,630
Georgia $33,600
Hawaii $58,770
Idaho $32,630
Illinois $59,960
Indiana $38,380
Iowa $37,510
Kansas $35,600
Kentucky $36,150
Louisiana $35,120
Maine $32,950
Maryland $34,420
Massachusetts $52,780
Michigan $39,700
Minnesota $52,150
Mississippi $30,410
Missouri $47,270
Montana $37,330
Nebraska $34,660
Nevada $37,100
New Hampshire $38,490
New Jersey $53,540
New Mexico $32,070
New York $51,720
North Carolina $30,280
North Dakota $42,000
Ohio $44,030
Oklahoma $31,230
Oregon $41,080
Pennsylvania $41,260
Rhode Island $47,030
South Carolina $31,090
South Dakota $30,700
Tennessee $31,940
Texas $32,630
Utah $33,680
Vermont $36,120
Virginia $31,950
Washington $48,070
West Virginia $36,450
Wisconsin $43,900
Wyoming $36,160

What Tools do Construction Laborers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Construction Laborers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
  • Autodesk Revit

How to Become a Construction Laborer

Learn what Construction Laborer education requirements there are.

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Construction Laborer?

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Where do Construction Laborers Work?

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Below are examples of industries where Construction Laborers work:

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being a Construction Laborer may also be interested in:

Are you already one of the many Construction Laborer in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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