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Occupational Requirements Survey
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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.
For terms and definitions in this profile, see definitions of major terms.
Cognitive and mental requirements
The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.
In 2025, work was controlled by people for 87.7 percent of construction and extraction workers. Work was self-paced for 8.6 percent.
| Requirement | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
|
Work schedule varies |
65.5 | 34.5 |
|
Ability to pause work (and take brief unscheduled breaks) |
56.7 | 43.3 |
|
Working around crowds |
<0.5 | >99.5 |
|
Telework routinely allowed |
1.1 | 98.9 |
|
Supervising others |
24.8 | 75.2 |
|
Supervisor present in immediate work area |
58.0 | 42.0 |
|
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey |
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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. The time associated with these requirements is combined to calculate the specific vocational preparation level needed for the job.
In 2025, prior work experience was required for 49.4 percent of construction and extraction workers and on-the-job training was required for 71.4 percent.
No minimum education was required for 49.3 percent of construction and extraction workers and a high school diploma was required for 49.6 percent.
Environmental conditions
The various hazards or difficulties that are in the area where workers perform their critical tasks.
In 2025, a quiet noise exposure was present for less than 5 percent of construction and extraction workers. Another 82.4 percent were exposed to moderate noise, 16.2 percent were exposed to loud noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by 52.2 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure and was not used by 47.8 percent.
Physical demands
The physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.
In 2025, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for 92.8 percent of construction and extraction workers and was not required for 7.2 percent. For less than 15 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom required, for 48.0 percent reaching at or below the shoulder was occasionally required, for 31.2 percent reaching at or below the shoulder was frequently required, and for less than 5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder was required constantly.
Performing work in low postures was required for 90.9 percent of construction and extraction workers and was not required for 9.1 percent. For 30.9 percent of workers stooping was required to perform low work.
The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 11.2 percent of construction and extraction workers. On average, workers spent 20.5 percent of the workday sitting and 79.5 percent of the workday standing.
| Requirement | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
|
Ability to choose to sit or stand for tasks |
11.2 | 88.8 |
|
Driving |
62.3 | 37.7 |
|
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs |
52.4 | 47.6 |
|
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey |
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