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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Construction and extraction occupations

This occupational group includes carpenters, laborers, equipment operators, electricians, roofers, elevator installers and repairers, earth drillers, mining machine operators, and carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2024, work was controlled by people for 86.0 percent of construction and extraction workers, and work was self-paced for 10.7 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of construction and extraction workers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Adaptability: Work schedule variability	69.0	31.0
Pace: Pause control	58.5	41.5
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework	<0.5	>99.5
Work review: Supervising others	22.9	77.1
Work review: Presence of supervisor	59.5	40.5
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs.

In 2024, credentials were required for 57.0 percent of construction and extraction workers. Prior work experience was required for 44.8 percent and on-the-job training was required for 74.1 percent.

No minimum education was required for 48.5 percent of construction and extraction workers and a high school diploma was required for 51.0 percent.

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2024, greater than 99.5 percent of construction and extraction workers were not exposed to extreme cold, and 97.3 percent were not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was not present for 69.2 percent, 80.7 percent were not exposed to heavy vibrations, and 9.0 percent were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2024, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for 93.7 percent of construction and extraction workers and was not required for 6.3 percent. For less than 15 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom performed, for 44.0 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred occasionally, 43.0 percent frequently, and for less than 0.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 90.7 percent of construction and extraction workers and was not required for 9.3 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 8.7 percent of construction and extraction workers. On average, workers spent 19.2 percent of the workday sitting and 80.8 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of construction and extraction workers with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Choice of sitting or standing	8.7	91.3
Driving	58.4	41.6
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	53.1	46.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey