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
$46,730
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
$34,200
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,100
25th percentile
Median
$46,730
50th percentile
Experienced
$58,910
75th percentile
Top Earners
$77,530
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,200
25th
$38,100
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,730
Mean: $51,260
75th
$58,910
90th
$77,530
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $43,330 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,100 and $58,910
- •Salary spread is 44.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,057,660 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
Construction84.4%
Specialty Trade Contractors36.9%
Construction of Buildings24.2%
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
117,580 jobs$38,1801.24x
California
85,370 jobs$60,5400.69x
Florida
75,770 jobs$40,8201.12x
New York
49,890 jobs$57,6800.76x
North Carolina
38,530 jobs$42,2501.15x
Pennsylvania
38,350 jobs$48,4800.93x
Illinois
31,960 jobs$64,8900.77x
Ohio
30,820 jobs$49,6400.81x
Arizona
30,310 jobs$46,2001.38x
Georgia
28,680 jobs$37,9700.86x
Minnesota
27,510 jobs$58,7201.37x
Washington
27,410 jobs$57,2401.13x
Indiana
26,910 jobs$49,5201.23x
Virginia
26,860 jobs$40,2100.96x
Michigan
26,570 jobs$48,6700.88x
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 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Coordination
86%
#3
Operation and Control
70%
#4
Active Listening
56%
#5
Operations Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Coordination
intermediate4.3
86%
Operation and Control
intermediate3.5
70%
Active Listening
basic2.8
56%
Operations Monitoring
basic2.0
40%
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
Coordination
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Operations Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
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
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Coordination
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Operation and Control
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
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