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.
Featured schools near , edit
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.

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.

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.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Construction Laborer?

Where do Construction Laborers Work?

Below are examples of industries where Construction Laborers work:

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:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |