Construction Laborers and Helpers

Summary

What Construction Laborers and Helpers Do About this section

Construction 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 duties

Construction 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
• Roofers

Apprentices 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 About this section

Construction laborers and helpers wear gloves, safety glasses, and other protective gear.

Construction laborers and helpers held about 1.6 million jobs in 2023. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up construction laborers and helpers was distributed as follows:

The largest employers of construction laborers and helpers were as follows:

Construction 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

Construction laborers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Injuries may result from incidents such as slips, falls, and contact with objects or equipment. Workers reduce the risk of injury by following safety procedures and practices, such as wearing a hardhat, steel-toed shoes, or other personal protective equipment (PPE).

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 About this section

Construction 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 About this section

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:

In May 2023, the median annual wages for construction laborers and helpers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

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.

Job Outlook About this section

Overall employment of construction laborers and helpers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 154,900 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 the power grid, roads, and water lines, is expected to 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 some helpers.

State & Area Data About this section

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 OEWS 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.org. 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.

Contacts for More Information About this section

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 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