Construction Worker Salary in 2026
Construction workers perform physical labor on construction sites, operating tools and machinery, moving materials, and assisting specialized tradespeople with building projects.
Median Salary
$44,000
$3,667/mo
Entry Level
$30,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$57,000
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
Construction Worker Overview
Construction workers perform physical labor on construction sites, operating tools and machinery, moving materials, and assisting specialized tradespeople with building projects.
Education
High School Diploma
Experience
0-1 year
Industry
Construction
Total Jobs (US)
1.2M
5-Year Growth
+9%
Category
Trades
Hourly Rate
$21.15/hr
Monthly Pay
$3,667
Construction Worker Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Construction Worker salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Construction Worker Salary
$48,000
$4,000/month · $1,846/biweekly · $23.08/hr
Construction Worker Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Construction Worker field.
Entry-level Construction Workers earn around $30,000, while the top 10% earn $64,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Construction Workers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $52,000 | +$8,000 |
| New York | $51,000 | +$7,000 |
| Texas | $43,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $43,000 | $-1,000 |
| Georgia | $43,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Construction Workers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $52,000 | +$8,000 |
| Los Angeles | $49,000 | +$5,000 |
| Miami | $45,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $44,000 | $0 |
| Atlanta | $43,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Construction Worker Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Construction Worker from entry level to expert.
$30,000
0-2 years
$44,000
3-7 years
$57,000
8-14 years
$71,000
15+ years
Related Trades Jobs
Construction Worker Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Construction Worker Salary
How we calculate Construction Worker salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $44,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Construction Worker in the Construction sector.
- Entry-level ($30,000) and senior-level ($57,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 1.2M total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 9% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Construction sector wages.
- Education requirement: High School Diploma, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $44,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Construction Worker compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Construction Worker job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Construction
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Construction Worker salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Manual Labor, Tool Operation, Safety), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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