skip to main content
MENU

Construction Laborers Laborers In Demand

General Information

Description

Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.

Explore this career in the Military

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit72.21%
  2. Self-employed22.73%
  3. State and local government2.67%
  4. Private, not for profit1.29%
  5. Federal government0.30%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Architecture & Construction

Job Outlook

Projected Job Growth (2021 - 2031)
+4%
Read More

Job Outlook

×

Overall employment of construction laborers and helpers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 168,500 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.

Similar Careers

Related Military Careers

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$37,770

Military salary*

$65,712

Explore this career in the Military

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$58,550
$17,770
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 34%
  • Less than high school 32%
  • Post-secondary certificate 27%
  • Associate's degree 4%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.