Construction Laborers

SOC code 47-2061 · O*NET-SOC 47-2061.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth and numerous job openings for this occupation

Construction labourers do the physical groundwork of every site: digging, carrying, demolition cleanup, assisting the trades. No credential is needed to start, which makes it the most common entry point into construction — and labourers who watch a trade closely often move into its apprenticeship.

Construction Laborers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$47,120

a year

Hourly

$22.66

per hour

10th$35,090Median$47,12090th$78,090

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$52,030

$25.02 per hour

Middle 50%

$38,620 – $59,740

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$35,090 – $78,090

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

1,096,780

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $35,090; $16.87/hr
25th percentile: $38,620; $18.57/hr
Median percentile: $47,120; $22.66/hr
75th percentile: $59,740; $28.72/hr
90th percentile: $78,090; $37.54/hr

What does a construction laborer do?

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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
Position, join, align, or seal structural components, such as concrete wall sections or pipes.
Perform site activities required of green certified construction practices, such as implementing waste management procedures, identifying materials for reuse, or installing erosion or sedimentation control mechanisms.
Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones.
Install sewer, water, or storm drain pipes, using pipe-laying machinery or laser guidance equipment.
Operate or maintain air monitoring or other sampling devices in confined or hazardous environments.

How to become a construction laborer

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 35% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)35%
Less than a High School Diploma33%
Post-Secondary Certificate28%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%

Common questions

How much does a construction laborer earn?

The national median is $47,120 a year. The full range runs from $35,090 at the 10th percentile to $78,090 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a construction laborer without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Speaking3.3/5
Active Listening3.1/5
Reading Comprehension2.8/5
Critical Thinking2.8/5
Monitoring2.6/5

Knowledge areas

Building and Construction4.0/5
Public Safety and Security3.2/5
Mechanical3.0/5
Customer and Personal Service2.8/5

Transferable strengths: Coordination, Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness.