
An official website of the United States government
This major group comprises the following occupations: First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers ; Boilermakers ; Brickmasons and Blockmasons ; Stonemasons ; Carpenters ; Carpet Installers ; Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles ; Floor Sanders and Finishers ; Tile and Stone Setters ; Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers ; Terrazzo Workers and Finishers ; Construction Laborers ; Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators ; Pile Driver Operators ; Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators ; Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers ; Tapers ; Electricians ; Glaziers ; Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall ; Insulation Workers, Mechanical ; Painters, Construction and Maintenance ; Paperhangers ; Pipelayers ; Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters ; Plasterers and Stucco Masons ; Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers ; Roofers ; Sheet Metal Workers ; Structural Iron and Steel Workers ; Solar Photovoltaic Installers ; 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 ; Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other ; Construction and Building Inspectors ; Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers ; Fence Erectors ; Hazardous Materials Removal Workers ; Highway Maintenance Workers ; Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators ; Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners ; Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers ; Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas ; Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas ; Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas ; Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining ; Continuous Mining Machine Operators ; Roof Bolters, Mining ; Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining ; Rock Splitters, Quarry ; Roustabouts, Oil and Gas ; Helpers--Extraction Workers ; Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas; and Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters ; Underground Mining Machine Operators and Extraction Workers, All Other
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this major group:
Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
---|---|---|---|---|
6,194,140 | 0.3 % | $25.28 | $52,580 | 0.2 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this major group:
Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hourly Wage | $13.66 | $17.08 | $22.80 | $30.74 | $41.26 |
Annual Wage (2) | $28,420 | $35,530 | $47,430 | $63,940 | $85,810 |
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Building Equipment Contractors | 1,218,800 | 54.73 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 713,540 | 76.23 | $23.74 | $49,380 |
Building Finishing Contractors | 621,160 | 73.98 | $23.56 | $49,000 |
Residential Building Construction | 486,420 | 60.07 | $23.31 | $48,480 |
Nonresidential Building Construction | 477,300 | 57.22 | $27.57 | $57,350 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 713,540 | 76.23 | $23.74 | $49,380 |
Building Finishing Contractors | 621,160 | 73.98 | $23.56 | $49,000 |
Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | 232,990 | 66.21 | $26.11 | $54,310 |
Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 453,220 | 63.91 | $23.27 | $48,400 |
Residential Building Construction | 486,420 | 60.07 | $23.31 | $48,480 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities | 310 | 0.03 | $39.99 | $83,180 |
Monetary Authorities-Central Bank | 60 | 0.31 | $38.02 | $79,080 |
Insurance Carriers | 300 | 0.02 | $37.06 | $77,090 |
Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 260 | 0.32 | $36.76 | $76,460 |
Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | 270 | 0.09 | $35.73 | $74,320 |
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
California | 688,660 | 39.62 | 0.94 | $29.52 | $61,400 |
Texas | 656,840 | 52.84 | 1.25 | $21.83 | $45,410 |
Florida | 413,620 | 47.03 | 1.12 | $20.16 | $41,930 |
New York | 358,350 | 37.63 | 0.89 | $31.92 | $66,390 |
Pennsylvania | 228,210 | 38.67 | 0.92 | $26.22 | $54,530 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wyoming | 28,600 | 104.64 | 2.48 | $25.71 | $53,470 |
North Dakota | 36,180 | 85.63 | 2.03 | $26.50 | $55,110 |
West Virginia | 49,250 | 70.15 | 1.66 | $23.87 | $49,660 |
New Mexico | 54,990 | 66.77 | 1.58 | $21.59 | $44,910 |
Louisiana | 125,700 | 65.40 | 1.55 | $22.54 | $46,870 |
Top paying States for this occupation:
State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hawaii | 31,010 | 48.79 | 1.16 | $33.93 | $70,570 |
Illinois | 187,210 | 31.07 | 0.74 | $33.14 | $68,940 |
Alaska | 18,570 | 58.57 | 1.39 | $31.94 | $66,430 |
New York | 358,350 | 37.63 | 0.89 | $31.92 | $66,390 |
Massachusetts | 131,900 | 36.44 | 0.86 | $31.50 | $65,520 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation:
Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 334,620 | 34.66 | 0.82 | $33.59 | $69,860 |
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 199,790 | 32.02 | 0.76 | $28.94 | $60,190 |
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 193,950 | 63.55 | 1.51 | $23.25 | $48,350 |
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 149,510 | 40.89 | 0.97 | $21.27 | $44,240 |
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 142,150 | 30.40 | 0.72 | $34.92 | $72,640 |
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 117,590 | 36.99 | 0.88 | $25.52 | $53,070 |
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 105,110 | 39.78 | 0.94 | $21.10 | $43,900 |
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 102,470 | 48.31 | 1.15 | $22.82 | $47,460 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 100,140 | 40.51 | 0.96 | $36.06 | $75,000 |
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 98,350 | 35.15 | 0.83 | $32.36 | $67,310 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Odessa, TX | 14,150 | 174.04 | 4.13 | $23.23 | $48,310 |
Midland, TX | 17,180 | 154.99 | 3.68 | $24.61 | $51,190 |
Farmington, NM | 6,060 | 127.63 | 3.03 | $23.57 | $49,030 |
Greeley, CO | 13,150 | 123.44 | 2.93 | $23.60 | $49,080 |
Baton Rouge, LA | 40,710 | 103.05 | 2.44 | $22.80 | $47,420 |
Wheeling, WV-OH | 6,110 | 94.52 | 2.24 | $28.97 | $60,250 |
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 14,520 | 90.25 | 2.14 | $23.89 | $49,700 |
Enid, OK | 2,140 | 86.74 | 2.06 | $23.25 | $48,350 |
St. George, UT | 5,820 | 85.50 | 2.03 | $20.41 | $42,460 |
Corpus Christi, TX | 15,980 | 84.57 | 2.01 | $22.15 | $46,070 |
Top paying metropolitan areas for this occupation:
Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 100,140 | 40.51 | 0.96 | $36.06 | $75,000 |
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 142,150 | 30.40 | 0.72 | $34.92 | $72,640 |
Urban Honolulu, HI | 22,200 | 48.52 | 1.15 | $34.71 | $72,190 |
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 3,600 | 71.93 | 1.71 | $33.73 | $70,150 |
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 334,620 | 34.66 | 0.82 | $33.59 | $69,860 |
Kankakee, IL | 1,120 | 25.04 | 0.59 | $33.31 | $69,280 |
Trenton, NJ | 4,920 | 20.48 | 0.49 | $33.25 | $69,160 |
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 37,650 | 33.00 | 0.78 | $32.88 | $68,390 |
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 96,690 | 47.84 | 1.13 | $32.78 | $68,180 |
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 4,570 | 34.63 | 0.82 | $32.44 | $67,470 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in this occupation:
Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | 21,790 | 173.37 | 4.11 | $27.61 | $57,430 |
West Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 20,160 | 99.99 | 2.37 | $22.82 | $47,460 |
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | 18,860 | 115.09 | 2.73 | $22.13 | $46,040 |
Kansas nonmetropolitan area | 17,960 | 45.58 | 1.08 | $20.04 | $41,680 |
North Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 16,880 | 61.00 | 1.45 | $20.36 | $42,340 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | 21,790 | 173.37 | 4.11 | $27.61 | $57,430 |
Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | 10,430 | 122.48 | 2.90 | $26.26 | $54,620 |
Nevada nonmetropolitan area | 11,450 | 116.45 | 2.76 | $26.27 | $54,640 |
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | 18,860 | 115.09 | 2.73 | $22.13 | $46,040 |
Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | 11,080 | 111.10 | 2.63 | $25.62 | $53,280 |
Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for this occupation:
Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | 5,340 | 52.55 | 1.25 | $31.97 | $66,490 |
Alaska nonmetropolitan area | 7,750 | 71.48 | 1.70 | $31.34 | $65,190 |
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | 2,740 | 45.07 | 1.07 | $28.63 | $59,550 |
East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | 5,010 | 76.68 | 1.82 | $27.79 | $57,800 |
West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | 21,790 | 173.37 | 4.11 | $27.61 | $57,430 |
These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia.
The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate--50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.
(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.
Other OES estimates and related information:
May 2019 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2019 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2019 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2019 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
Last Modified Date: July 6, 2020