Construction Laborer Salary: Pay and Take-Home by State
The typical (median) construction laborer in the US earns $22.66 an hour, or $47,120 a year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 1,096,780 jobs (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,620 and $59,740 a year, and the top 10% earn more than $78,090.
After federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, the median salary leaves a single filer about $40,041 a year ($3,337 a month) in a state with no income tax. Using each state's own median pay for this job, take-home is highest in Hawaii ($58,358 a year) and lowest in Alabama ($30,337).
Construction Laborer pay range
| Pay level | Hourly | Yearly | Take-home a year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $16.87 | $35,090 | $30,375 |
| 25th percentile | $18.57 | $38,620 | $33,211 |
| Median (half earn more) | $22.66 | $47,120 | $40,041 |
| 75th percentile | $28.72 | $59,740 | $50,181 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $37.54 | $78,090 | $63,766 |
The average (mean) is $52,030 a year ($25.02 an hour), above the median because a minority of high earners pull it up. *Take-home after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer in a state with no income tax (2026). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 47-2061. Source
Construction Laborer salary by state
The highest median pay for construction laborers is in Hawaii ($77,110), New Jersey ($64,060), Massachusetts ($63,400), Illinois ($60,690), California ($60,280). The lowest is in Alabama ($36,900), Arkansas ($37,630), Mississippi ($37,710).
The most construction laborers work in Texas (123,250), California (88,240), Florida (87,040).
After each state's taxes, the most take-home at the local median is in Hawaii ($58,358), New Jersey ($50,836), Massachusetts ($50,122), Alaska ($48,533), Illinois ($48,085). A state with no income tax can come out ahead of a state that pays more before tax.
Median pay in each state for this job (BLS, May 2025), and take-home at that pay. Take-home is after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and the state's income tax and payroll programs, for a single filer with a 2026 W-4 and no deductions. Local taxes are not included. *District of Columbia: federal taxes only (DC income tax is not modeled yet).
| State | Median hourly | Median yearly | Take-home a year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $17.74 | $36,900 | $30,337 | 18,400 |
| Alaska | $27.91 | $58,050 | $48,533 | 3,690 |
| Arizona | $22.40 | $46,590 | $38,683 | 37,630 |
| Arkansas | $18.09 | $37,630 | $31,512 | 10,650 |
| California | $28.98 | $60,280 | $48,009 | 88,240 |
| Colorado | $23.03 | $47,900 | $38,592 | 18,680 |
| Connecticut | $28.03 | $58,300 | $46,499 | 7,360 |
| Delaware | $21.90 | $45,550 | $36,746 | 3,240 |
| District of Columbia | $24.05 | $50,020 | $42,371* | 2,090 |
| Florida | $21.17 | $44,030 | $37,558 | 87,040 |
| Georgia | $18.74 | $38,980 | $32,304 | 27,800 |
| Hawaii | $37.07 | $77,110 | $58,358 | 4,580 |
| Idaho | $22.57 | $46,950 | $38,266 | 10,850 |
| Illinois | $29.18 | $60,690 | $48,085 | 35,940 |
| Indiana | $24.07 | $50,070 | $39,972 | 28,600 |
| Iowa | $23.31 | $48,480 | $39,825 | 13,780 |
| Kansas | $21.56 | $44,840 | $36,506 | 9,990 |
| Kentucky | $21.98 | $45,720 | $37,434 | 13,280 |
| Louisiana | $18.38 | $38,230 | $32,114 | 22,100 |
| Maine | $22.32 | $46,430 | $37,616 | 3,960 |
| Maryland | $22.58 | $46,970 | $36,711 | 20,920 |
| Massachusetts | $30.48 | $63,400 | $50,122 | 16,210 |
| Michigan | $23.84 | $49,590 | $40,169 | 28,490 |
| Minnesota | $28.97 | $60,260 | $47,038 | 28,530 |
| Mississippi | $18.13 | $37,710 | $31,700 | 8,800 |
| Missouri | $27.28 | $56,740 | $46,029 | 17,050 |
| Montana | $23.96 | $49,840 | $40,640 | 4,590 |
| Nebraska | $22.72 | $47,260 | $38,600 | 8,530 |
| Nevada | $23.55 | $48,980 | $41,535 | 11,890 |
| New Hampshire | $24.03 | $49,980 | $42,339 | 4,330 |
| New Jersey | $30.80 | $64,060 | $50,836 | 23,590 |
| New Mexico | $18.46 | $38,400 | $32,004 | 12,470 |
| New York | $26.89 | $55,930 | $44,392 | 52,090 |
| North Carolina | $21.50 | $44,720 | $36,813 | 35,620 |
| North Dakota | $23.59 | $49,070 | $41,608 | 5,050 |
| Ohio | $26.96 | $56,080 | $45,945 | 31,910 |
| Oklahoma | $18.92 | $39,350 | $32,576 | 13,710 |
| Oregon | $24.45 | $50,860 | $39,420 | 12,620 |
| Pennsylvania | $23.75 | $49,400 | $40,322 | 35,920 |
| Rhode Island | $27.52 | $57,240 | $45,433 | 2,110 |
| South Carolina | $20.65 | $42,950 | $35,327 | 19,620 |
| South Dakota | $21.98 | $45,720 | $38,916 | 1,780 |
| Tennessee | $21.64 | $45,010 | $38,346 | 26,250 |
| Texas | $19.53 | $40,620 | $34,818 | 123,250 |
| Utah | $22.38 | $46,550 | $37,503 | 20,950 |
| Vermont | $23.36 | $48,590 | $39,853 | 1,430 |
| Virginia | $20.94 | $43,560 | $35,490 | 25,830 |
| Washington | $27.75 | $57,720 | $47,757 | 25,060 |
| West Virginia | $20.51 | $42,660 | $35,323 | 6,620 |
| Wisconsin | $26.97 | $56,100 | $44,723 | 20,330 |
| Wyoming | $22.13 | $46,030 | $39,165 | 3,350 |
Overtime and pay rules for construction laborers
Construction laborers who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not. Source Estimate your deduction.
How the exemptions work across jobs: who gets overtime pay.
Taxes on a construction laborer's pay
On the median $47,120, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare take about 15.0% of pay for a single filer: $3,474 of income tax and $3,605 of Social Security and Medicare a year.
Tax bracket. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $31,020, so the top federal rate is 12%. Each extra dollar from a raise or extra shifts is taxed at about 19.65% before state tax: 12% income tax plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare. Source
401(k). Putting 5% ($2,356 a year) into a traditional 401(k) lowers federal income tax by about $283, so it costs about $2,074 of take-home pay.
Self-employed or contract work
BLS pay figures cover employees only; self-employed construction laborers are not counted. If you work as a contractor (1099), you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare (15.3% self-employment tax) and usually make quarterly estimated payments. Use the 1099 Tax Calculator to see what to set aside, and see 1099 vs W-2 take-home pay for how much more a contractor needs to earn.
Jobs with similar pay
| Job | Median yearly | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Sterile Processing Tech | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| Vet Tech | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Pharmacy Tech | $45,750 | $22 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | $21.97 |
For a full breakdown of a similar wage, see $23 an hour is how much a year.
Construction Laborer salary questions
How much does a construction laborer make?
The median pay is $22.66 an hour, or $47,120 a year (May 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The bottom 10% earn less than $35,090 and the top 10% more than $78,090.
How much does a construction laborer make after taxes?
About $40,041 a year, or $1,540 every two weeks, on the median salary for a single filer in a state with no income tax. In Alabama, at that state's own median pay, it is about $30,337.
How much does a construction laborer make a month?
About $3,927 a month before taxes at the median salary, and roughly $3,337 after federal taxes in a state with no income tax.
Which state pays construction laborers the most?
Hawaii, with a median of $77,110 a year ($37.07 an hour). Next are New Jersey ($64,060) and Massachusetts ($63,400). After state taxes, take-home at the local median is highest in Hawaii.
How much does a construction laborer make an hour?
The median is $22.66 an hour. The middle half earn $18.57 to $28.72, and the top 10% more than $37.54.
Do construction laborers get paid overtime?
Construction laborers who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not.
More trades and construction salaries
Elevator Mechanic · Lineman (Power Line Worker) · Plumber · Electrician · HVAC Technician · Carpenter · Truck Driver · Welder · Auto Mechanic
All jobs · Hourly to salary chart. BLS data published 2026, reference period May 2025; tax figures checked Oct 26, 2026.