### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Construction Laborers and Helpers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			construction laborers and helpers imageConstruction laborers and helpers perform physical labor on construction sites.							
						Quick Facts:     Construction Laborers and Helpers2023     Median Pay
            						$44,310     per year
										$21.30     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    See How to Become OneWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Short-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    1,624,800Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    4% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    57,900What Construction Laborers and Helpers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Construction laborers and helpers perform tasks, such as using, supplying, or holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment, on construction sites.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most construction laborers and helpers work full time, and schedules may vary. Their jobs are often physically demanding and may require being outdoors in all weather conditions.
            
                                                How to Become a Construction Laborer or Helper
                                                
                        
Construction laborers and helpers learn on the job. Although formal education is not typically required, some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for construction laborers and helpers was $44,310 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of construction laborers and helpers is projected to grow							 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 151,400 openings for construction laborers and helpers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for construction laborers and helpers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of construction laborers and helpers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about construction laborers and helpers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Construction Laborers and Helpers Do 
            

			Construction laborers and helpersConstruction laborers and helpers assist tradesworkers.			
Construction laborers and helpers perform tasks, such as using, supplying, or holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment, on construction sites.
Duties
Construction laborers and helpers typically do the following:
Clean and prepare construction sites by removing debris and possible hazards
Load or unload building materials to be used in construction
Build or take apart bracing, scaffolding, and temporary structures
Dig trenches, backfill holes, or compact earth to prepare for construction
Operate power tools and handtools, such as jackhammers, saws, and drills
Assist tradesworkers, such as electricians and plumbers, with their dutiesConstruction laborers and helpers work on almost all construction sites, performing a range of tasks that may vary in complexity.
***Construction laborers***, also referred to as *construction craft laborers*, are involved in a variety of activities during all phases of construction. Some laborers spend their time preparing and cleaning up construction sites, using tools such as shovels and brooms. Other laborers, such as those on road crews, may specialize and learn to control traffic patterns or to operate pavement breakers, jackhammers, earth tampers, or surveying equipment.
With special training, laborers may help transport and use explosives or run hydraulic boring machines to dig tunnels. They may learn to use lasers to place pipes and learn to use computers to control robotic pipe cutters.
***Helpers*** assist construction tradesworkers with a variety of tasks. They may carry tools and materials or help set up equipment. For example, some helpers work with cement masons to move and set the forms that determine the shape of poured concrete. Others assist with tool maintenance, cleaning up sites, and disposing of waste, as well as helping tradesworkers with other tasks.
Many construction occupations have helpers who assist tradesworkers, including:
Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons, and tile and marble setters
Carpenters
Electricians
Painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
RoofersApprentices to electricians, plumbers, and other tradesworkers may have tasks that are similar to those of helpers. Information about apprentices is included in the profile for their respective tradesworker.
 Work Environment
			Construction laborers and helpersConstruction laborers and helpers wear gloves, safety glasses, and other protective gear.			

	    
				
	
	    	    		Construction laborers and helpers held about 1.6 million jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up construction laborers and helpers was distributed as follows:
    	    	
    	Construction laborers
                1,418,600Helpers--electricians
                72,500Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
                47,800Helpers, construction trades, all other
                28,300Helpers--carpenters
                25,100Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters
                17,900Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
                8,700Helpers--roofers
                5,900The largest employers of construction laborers and helpers were as follows:
        Specialty trade contractors
                32%Self-employed workers
                25Construction of buildings
                17Heavy and civil engineering construction
                15Temporary help services
                3Construction laborers and helpers often work outdoors in all weather conditions. Some work at great heights; others work in confined spaces. Travel to jobsites may be required.
Injuries and Illnesses
Some types of construction laborers and helpers have high rates of injuries and illnesses compared with those of all occupations.
Workers may experience cuts from materials and tools, falls from ladders and scaffolding, and burns from chemicals or equipment. Construction sites may expose workers to loud noises; harmful materials, fumes, or odors; and dangerous machinery. Workers must use earplugs around loud equipment and wear gloves, safety glasses, and other protective gear to guard against other hazards.
Workers also may experience muscle fatigue and strains related to lifting and carrying heavy materials. To prevent these and other injuries, workers must follow established safety guidelines, standards, and techniques.
Work Schedules
Most construction laborers and helpers work full time, and work schedules may vary. Laborers and helpers on highway and bridge projects may need to work overnight to avoid causing traffic disruptions. In some parts of the country, construction laborers and helpers may work only during certain seasons. For example, in northern climates, cold weather frequently limits construction activity in the winter.
Some construction laborers are self-employed. In contrast, few helpers are self-employed.
 How to Become a Construction Laborer or Helper

			Construction laborers and helpersConstruction laborers and helpers learn on the job, often under the guidance of experienced workers.			
Construction laborers and helpers learn on the job. Formal education is not typically required, but some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
Education
Although laborers and helpers typically do not need a formal educational credential, employers may prefer to hire those who have a high school diploma or the equivalent. For example, an employer may require or prefer that helpers of electricians and helpers of pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters have completed high school.
High school classes that may be helpful include mathematics, such as algebra and geometry, and those that are part of career and technical education programs, such as construction technology or welding.
Training
Construction laborers and helpers typically learn on the job. They may start out by shadowing experienced workers, observing what those workers do and performing tasks under their guidance.
Some construction laborers complete apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship programs, which are usually sponsored by local unions or trade associations, combine on-the-job training with technical instruction.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Employers often require that construction laborers and helpers complete safety certification that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, either before or after being hired.
A valid driver’s license also may be required.
Some workers choose to earn optional certifications related to their tasks, such as rigging or scaffolding. Certification helps workers demonstrate that they have the knowledge to perform more complex tasks.
Advancement
After gaining experience, laborers may have opportunities to supervise staff, oversee jobsites, or start their own business.
Helpers sometimes move into construction trades after gaining experience in the field, along with completing any required credentials or training. For example, an electrician’s helper might earn a high school equivalency to enter an electrician apprenticeship and, eventually, go on to become an electrician.
Important Qualities
***Color vision.*** Electricians’ helpers must be able to distinguish different colors of wire to help the lead electrician.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Construction laborers and helpers need to work as a team, cooperating with and assisting others. They also may interact with customers.
***Math skills.*** Construction laborers and some helpers need to do basic math calculations, such as when measuring on jobsites or assisting a surveying crew.
***Mechanical skills.*** Construction laborers are frequently required to operate and maintain equipment, such as jackhammers.
***Physical stamina.*** Construction laborers and helpers must be able to do strenuous tasks throughout the day.
***Physical strength.*** Construction laborers and helpers must be able to lift or move heavy materials and equipment.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                        Construction Laborers and HelpersMedian annual wages, May 2023Construction and extraction occupations$55,680  Total, all occupations$48,060  Construction laborers$45,300  Construction laborers and helpers$44,310  Helpers, construction trades$38,630Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for construction laborers and helpers was $44,310 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,200, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $73,310.

			
                    	Median annual wages for construction laborers and helpers in May 2023 were as follows:
        Construction laborers
		$45,300Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters
		42,470Helpers, construction trades, all other
		40,220Helpers--carpenters
		39,380Helpers--roofers
		38,620Helpers--electricians
		38,340Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
		37,650Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
		37,010In May 2023, the median annual wages for construction laborers and helpers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Heavy and civil engineering construction
                $46,160Construction of buildings
                46,110Specialty trade contractors
                43,000Temporary help services
                34,450Most construction laborers and helpers work full time, and work schedules may vary. Laborers and helpers on highway and bridge projects may need to work overnight to avoid causing traffic disruptions. In some parts of the country, construction laborers and helpers may work only during certain seasons. For example, in northern climates, cold weather frequently limits construction activity in the winter.
Some construction laborers are self-employed. In contrast, few helpers are self-employed.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                      Construction Laborers and HelpersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Construction laborers4%  Construction laborers and helpers4%  Construction and extraction occupations3%  Total, all occupations3%  Helpers, construction trades-2%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of construction laborers and helpers is projected to grow				 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 151,400 openings for construction laborers and helpers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Projected employment of construction laborers and helpers varies by occupation (see table). Construction laborers work in all fields of construction, and demand for laborers should mirror the level of overall construction activity. Repairing and replacing the nation’s infrastructure, such as roads and water lines, may result in steady demand for laborers.
Employment growth for specific types of construction helpers is expected to be driven by the construction and renovation of homes and nonresidential structures. However, shifts in preference for materials, such as prefabricated components, will continue to reduce demand for helpers of carpenters, of electricians, and of other construction workers.
			

                        Employment projections data for     construction laborers and helpers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Construction laborers and helpers**
			—
			1,624,800
			1,682,600
			4
			57,900
			—**Construction laborers**
			47-2061
			1,418,600
			1,480,500
			4
			61,900
			Get data**Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters**
			47-3011
			17,900
			15,900
			-11
			-2,000
			Get data**Helpers--carpenters**
			47-3012
			25,100
			23,700
			-5
			-1,300
			Get data**Helpers--electricians**
			47-3013
			72,500
			70,000
			-3
			-2,500
			Get data**Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons**
			47-3014
			8,700
			8,900
			2
			100
			Get data**Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters**
			47-3015
			47,800
			48,900
			2
			1,100
			Get data**Helpers--roofers**
			47-3016
			5,900
			6,000
			2
			100
			Get data**Helpers, construction trades, all other**
			47-3019
			28,300
			28,800
			2
			400
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Construction laborers
					Helpers, construction trades, all other
					Helpers-brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters
					Helpers-carpenters
					Helpers-electricians
					Helpers-painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
					Helpers-pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
					Helpers-roofers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of construction laborers and helpers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Carpenters**
            Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $56,350**Electricians**
            Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,590**Hazardous Materials Removal Workers**
            Hazardous materials removal workers identify and dispose of harmful substances such as asbestos, lead, and radioactive waste.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $47,280**Painters, Construction and Maintenance**
            Painters apply paint, stain, and coatings to walls and ceilings, buildings, large machinery and equipment, and bridges and other structures.
            No formal educational credential
            $47,700**Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters**
            Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,550**Material Moving Machine Operators**
            Material moving machine operators use equipment to transport objects.
            See How to Become One
            $44,750**Grounds Maintenance Workers**
            Grounds maintenance workers install and maintain landscapes, prune trees or shrubs, and do other tasks to ensure that vegetation is attractive, orderly, and safe.
            See How to Become One
            $37,690**Flooring Installers and Tile and Stone Setters**
            Flooring installers and tile and stone setters lay and finish carpet, wood, vinyl, tile, and other materials.
            No formal educational credential
            $48,690**Masonry Workers**
            Masonry workers use bricks, concrete and concrete blocks, and natural and manmade stones to build structures.
            See How to Become One
            $53,010
 Contacts for More Information
								
For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in these occupations, contact the offices of the state employment service; the state apprenticeship agency; local contractors or firms that employ construction laborers and helpers; or local union–management finishing trade apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about construction laborers and helpers, visit
Associated Builders and Contractors
Laborers’ International Union of North America
NCCER
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Construction laborers (PDF)
CareerOneStop
For career videos on construction laborers and helpers, visit
Construction Laborers
Helpers – Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Helpers – Carpenters
Helpers – Electricians
Helpers – Painters, Paperhangers, Plasters, and Stucco Masons
Helpers – Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Helpers – Roofers

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Construction LaborersHelpers, Construction Trades, All OtherHelpers-Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble SettersHelpers-CarpentersHelpers-ElectriciansHelpers-Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco MasonsHelpers-Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHelpers-Roofers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Construction Laborers and Helpers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/construction-laborers-and-helpers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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