Construction Laborers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$40,950
- 25th Percentile — Junior$48,140
- 50th Percentile — Median$60,270
- 75th Percentile — Senior$78,520
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$93,620
Half of Construction Laborers in California earn more than $60,270. The top 10% make $93,620 or more, while entry-level workers start around $40,950.
Construction Laborers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 5th of 51 states for Construction Laborers pay, at $64,870 per year (24.7% above the U.S. average of $52,030).
- 88,240 people work as Construction Laborers in California — 8.0% of all U.S. Construction Laborers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.69: Construction Laborers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,950; the top 10% earn over $93,620.
- Hourly equivalent: $31.19 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $71,520.
- Among construction jobs in California, Construction and Building Inspectors pays the most ($103,850).
Construction Laborers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Construction Laborers here earn $64,870 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $64,870 is roughly equivalent to $45,683 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($71,520), Massachusetts ($70,830), New Jersey ($70,400) are the closest alternatives for Construction Laborers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Construction Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Construction and Building Inspectors $103,850/yr California +60.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $103,760/yr California +60.0% vs this role
- Pipelayers $94,440/yr California +45.6% vs this role
- Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators $94,000/yr California +44.9% vs this role
- Electricians $85,860/yr California +32.4% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $85,580/yr California +31.9% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $82,320/yr California +26.9% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $80,920/yr California +24.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Construction Laborers salary in California?
The average Construction Laborers salary in California is $64,870 per year (median $60,270), which is 24.7% above the national average of $52,030.
How does California rank for Construction Laborers pay?
California ranks 5th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($71,520/yr).
How much do entry-level Construction Laborers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Construction Laborers in California earn about $40,950 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,140.
How much do Construction Laborers make per hour in California?
About $31.19 per hour, based on the $64,870 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Construction Laborers work in California?
BLS counts 88,240 Construction Laborers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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