How much do construction laborers make in the US in 2026?

Which state is best for construction laborers?

Different states win on different measures — here's the top on each. Pick the one that matters to you.

Across 25 states: $36,900–$64,060 (median $49,400).

Construction Laborer pay by state

Where is the union premium biggest for Construction Laborers?

Named locals and the premium over the BLS all-worker median.

We don't have union scale data for Construction Laborer across our states yet — these states are predominantly non-union, or we haven't added IBEW/UA data. Submitting your pay helps build complete data for Construction Laborer.

Union landscape

Construction laborers are employed across a wide range of job sites — road and highway work, building excavation, demolition, hazmat abatement, and general site prep, among others. Some workers in this trade are covered by a collective bargaining agreement through their employer or job site, which can affect base wages, overtime rules, benefits, and working conditions. That said, TradesPays does not currently have union scale data for construction laborers in any of the 25 states we cover. We're not going to guess at those numbers or point you toward a generic figure that may not match your local or your type of work. Union scale rates are set at the local level, they change with each contract cycle, and the only accurate source is the local that covers your jurisdiction and craft. If you think you may be working under a collective bargaining agreement — or you want to know whether one covers your area — contact your local directly and ask for the current prevailing wage or scale sheet. Don't rely on word-of-mouth on the job site. Get the actual rate card.

What we don't track yet

The state-level figures on TradesPays are a solid starting point, but there are real gaps you should know about before making decisions based on this data. First, we don't have metro-level breakdowns for construction laborers yet. A worker in Chicago is almost certainly earning different wages than a worker downstate, and the same is true in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and every other state we cover. State medians smooth over those differences. Until we have reliable metro figures to publish, we won't make them up. Second, we don't currently track wage tiers within the trade — no apprentice, journeyman, or foreman breakdowns beyond what union scale data would provide (and as noted above, we don't have that for this trade yet). Entry-level laborers and experienced hands with specialized certifications — hazmat, powder-actuated tools, concrete forms — don't earn the same rate, but our current dataset doesn't capture those distinctions. If you have data that could help fill these gaps — pay stubs, scale sheets, or verified wage information from your area — we want to hear from you. Use the submission form on TradesPays to share what you're seeing in the field. Better data helps every worker in this trade.

Construction Laborer pay: FAQ

What is the national median wage for construction laborers?

According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the national median annual wage for construction laborers is $47,120. The 25th percentile is $38,620 and the 75th percentile is $59,740.

Which states pay construction laborers the most?

Among the 25 states TradesPays currently covers, the top three are New Jersey at $64,060, Massachusetts at $63,390, and Illinois at $60,690 — all well above the national median of $47,120.

Which state has the lowest construction laborer wages in the TradesPays dataset?

Alabama has the lowest figure in our current set at $36,900 annually. That's more than $27,000 below the highest state we track, New Jersey.

Does TradesPays have construction laborer wage data for my state?

We currently cover 25 states. If your state isn't listed, we don't have verified data for it yet. Check back as we expand coverage, or submit wage information from your area using the TradesPays submission form.

Why is there such a large wage gap between states?

State-level wages reflect differences in cost of living, local demand for labor, the volume and type of construction activity, and whether prevailing wage or public works laws apply in a given area. A $27,000 spread between Alabama and New Jersey is real and typical for this trade.

Does TradesPays show wages by experience level for construction laborers?

Not yet. We currently publish state-level figures from BLS OEWS data, which don't break out pay by apprentice, journeyman, or specialty tier. That's a gap we're working to close — if you have detailed wage information, submit it through TradesPays.

Where can I find union scale rates for construction laborers in my area?

TradesPays does not have union scale data for this trade in any of the states we currently cover. For accurate, up-to-date scale rates, contact the local that covers your jurisdiction and craft directly and ask for the current wage sheet.

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