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
SOC: 47-2061 O*NET: 47-2061.00
Median Salary
$47,120
per year
Job Growth
🚀 7.3%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
129.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Construction Laborers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,090
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,620
25th percentile
Median
$47,120
50th percentile
Experienced
$59,740
75th percentile
Top Earners
$78,090
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,090
25th
$38,620
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$47,120
Mean: $52,030
75th
$59,740
90th
$78,090
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $43,000 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,620 and $59,740
- •Salary spread is 44.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,096,780 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,457,000
Top Industries
Construction84.8%
Specialty Trade Contractors36.7%
Construction of Buildings24.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+7.3%
Annual Openings:129,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,457,000
Current
2034 (Projected)1,563,400
+7.3%
+106,500
Employment Change
+7.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Construction Laborers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
123,250 jobs$40,6201.24x
California
88,240 jobs$60,2700.69x
Florida
87,040 jobs$44,0301.24x
New York
52,090 jobs$55,9300.76x
Arizona
37,630 jobs$46,5901.65x
Illinois
35,940 jobs$60,6900.84x
Pennsylvania
35,920 jobs$49,4000.84x
North Carolina
35,620 jobs$44,7201.02x
Ohio
31,910 jobs$56,0800.82x
Indiana
28,600 jobs$50,0701.27x
Minnesota
28,530 jobs$60,2601.37x
Michigan
28,490 jobs$49,5900.92x
Georgia
27,800 jobs$38,9900.81x
Tennessee
26,250 jobs$45,0001.14x
Virginia
25,830 jobs$43,5600.89x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Building and Construction
100%
#3
Manual Dexterity
100%
#4
Static Strength
92%
#5
Coordination
86%
#6
Multilimb Coordination
82%
#7
Arm-Hand Steadiness
74%
#8
Public Safety and Security
70%
#9
Operation and Control
70%
#10
Oral Comprehension
66%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Building and Construction
advanced5.0
100%
Manual Dexterity
advanced5.0
100%
Static Strength
advanced4.6
92%
Coordination
intermediate4.3
86%
Multilimb Coordination
intermediate4.1
82%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediate3.7
74%
Public Safety and Security
intermediate3.5
70%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Building and Construction
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Manual Dexterity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Static Strength
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Multilimb Coordination
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Public Safety and Security
intermediateImportance70%
knowledge
3.5/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Oral Expression
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Food Batchmakers71%
5 shared skills
Highway Maintenance Workers71%
5 shared skills
Pipelayers71%
5 shared skills
Motion Picture Projectionists67%
4 shared skills
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders67%
4 shared skills
Bridge and Lock Tenders63%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Building and Construction
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Oral Comprehension
- →Oral Expression
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Building and Construction
- ✓Manual Dexterity
- ✓Static Strength
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Building and Construction
- ★Manual Dexterity
- ★Static Strength
- ★Public Safety and Security
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Construction Laborers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk Revit
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk Revit
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Planning & Development (2)General Responsibilities (15)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Position, join, align, or seal structural components, such as concrete wall sections or pipes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Erect or dismantle scaffolding, shoring, braces, traffic barricades, ramps, or other temporary structures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Position or dismantle forms for pouring concrete, using saws, hammers, nails, or bolts.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Construction Laborers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Construction Laborers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Construction Laborers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.26
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.96
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.91
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.65
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.56
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Integrity
3.6
Stress Tolerance
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Construction Laborers.
Browse Training Programs →The Apprenticeship Route: Earn While You Learn
You don't necessarily need to pay for school to enter this field. There are 738 registered apprenticeship sponsors for this occupation in the U.S. DOL system — including 92 union/joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one, typically starting at 40–50% of the journeyman rate, and finish with no tuition debt.
Most sponsors: TX (143) , SC (46) , VA (36) , NJ (34) , IL (30)
How apprenticeships work →Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov)
Trade Colleges That Train for Construction Laborers
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
1.6k program completions/year
Apex Technical School
Long Island City, NY
788 program completions/year
American River College
Sacramento, CA
774 program completions/year
J F Ingram State Technical College
Deatsville, AL
645 program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
631 program completions/year
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, KY
612 program completions/year
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL
596 program completions/year
Lincoln Technical Institute-Union
Union, NJ
573 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
559 program completions/year
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY
556 program completions/year
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL
535 program completions/year
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, KY
494 program completions/year
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