Construction Laborer Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $65,193 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $63,931 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $59,725 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $58,043 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $55,519 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $54,678 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $53,837 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $52,575 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $51,313 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $48,369 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $48,369 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $47,948 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $47,107 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $46,266 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $46,266 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $45,425 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $44,163 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $44,163 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $42,901 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $42,901 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $42,060 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $42,060 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $41,639 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $41,639 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $41,219 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $39,957 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $39,957 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $39,116 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $39,116 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $39,116 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $38,695 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $38,695 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $38,275 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $37,854 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $37,013 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $37,013 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $37,013 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $37,013 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $37,013 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $37,013 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $36,592 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $36,592 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $36,592 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $36,172 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $35,751 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $35,751 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $35,330 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $34,910 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $34,910 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $33,648 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $32,807 | -22.0% | High |
A Construction Laborer's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Construction Laborers typically earn $30,799–$38,915 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $57,176–$63,802 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Construction Laborer role currently has high demand in the job market with a 2.8% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Skilled Trades sector.
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What is the average salary for a Construction Laborer?The average salary for a Construction Laborer in the United States is $42,060 per year, with a median of $38,760.
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What is the starting salary for a Construction Laborer?Entry-level Construction Laborers typically earn between $30,799 and $38,915 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Construction Laborers the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Construction Laborers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Construction Laborer make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $42,060, a Construction Laborer earns approximately $20.22 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Construction Laborer a good career in 2026?Yes — the Construction Laborer role has high demand with 2.8% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.