Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Construction laborers work in a large, active occupation with 1,457,000 workers nationally and a median annual salary of $46,730. The role is accessible, with no formal educational credential typically required, making it a potential entry point into the broader construction field. Physical strength and stamina are central to success, supported by mechanical skills, fine motor abilities, and strong attention to detail. There is room to grow into more responsibility by developing project management and leadership skills, as well as customer service and interpersonal abilities for working effectively with others on site. Creativity and innovation, along with some science knowledge, can further strengthen performance and adaptability. With projected employment growth of 7.3% and 129,000 annual openings, this path can appeal to those seeking consistent job opportunities. Related options include roustabouts in oil and gas, helpers in construction trades, glaziers, fence erectors, and material moving workers, giving candidates a range of hands-on career directions to consider.
Construction laborers earn a national median annual salary of $46,730, with notable differences by location. Several states offer higher median pay, including Massachusetts at $63,390, California at $60,270, Washington at $57,720, and New York at $55,930. Among states with strong opportunity scores, Colorado’s median of $47,900 is close to the national level. Metro areas can provide even higher earning potential. The San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA metro shows a median salary of $72,610, while San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA sits at $68,470. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro offers $61,270, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH has $63,420. The Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV area, at $47,430, is similar to the national median. These variations highlight how location can significantly influence earnings for construction laborers.
Construction laborers benefit from a sizable employment base and steady projected expansion. National employment stands at 1,457,000, indicating many existing positions across the country. Projected employment growth of 7.3% points to continued demand over the forecast period rather than a static job market. In addition, there are an estimated 129,000 annual openings, reflecting both new positions and turnover in the field. This combination of large current employment, measurable growth, and significant yearly openings can create frequent opportunities for job seekers and career changers who meet employers’ requirements. The same 7.3% projected growth rate appears in key states and metro areas with strong CareerGPS opportunity scores, suggesting generally consistent expectations for expansion across different regions. Individuals considering this career can factor in both the overall national scale and the ongoing flow of openings when evaluating long-term prospects.
Location makes a clear difference for construction laborers, both in opportunity scores and pay. At the state level, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $60,270, and employment of 88,240. Massachusetts follows closely with an opportunity score of 65.87 and the highest listed state median salary at $63,390. New York also ranks highly, with a 65.78 opportunity score, median salary of $55,930, and employment of 52,090. Washington and Colorado round out the top states with opportunity scores of 56.29 and 56.97, respectively, and median salaries of $57,720 and $47,900. Among metro areas, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ stand out with opportunity scores above 77. The San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH metros offer high salaries, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV combines moderate pay with a solid opportunity score. These differences allow candidates to weigh pay, scale of employment, and opportunity scores when choosing where to work.
Construction laborer roles typically do not require any formal educational credential, which can make the field accessible to people who prefer to enter the workforce directly. Without a formal schooling requirement, employers are likely to focus on capabilities and skills. Physical strength and stamina are especially important, given the nature of the work environment. Mechanical and fine motor skills help with handling tools and equipment, while being detail oriented supports accuracy and quality. Project management and leadership skills can be valuable for workers who want to take on more responsibility over time. Customer service and interpersonal abilities support working with others, and creativity and innovation can contribute to solving on-site challenges. Science knowledge adds another layer of understanding that can be applied where relevant. Together, these skills offer multiple ways to develop and differentiate yourself within this occupation, even without a formal education pathway.
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