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Construction Laborers

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Compare to another career

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $47,120/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$35,090$78,090

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +7.3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — faster than average.

About 129,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
SpeakingActive ListeningOperation and ControlCoordinationOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoring
Top knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionPublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementDesignMathematics
Core tasks

• 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.

• Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.

• Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.

• Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards.

• Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.

• Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Construction Laborers?

The median pay for Construction Laborers is $47,120 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Construction Laborers?

Employment for Construction Laborers is projected to change +7.3% from 2024 to 2034 - faster than average.

What education is typically required for Construction Laborers?

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

How many job openings are there each year for Construction Laborers?

About 129,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.