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

Construction laborers

Two construction workers using cement drills. Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers. Construction laborers who primarily assist a particular craft worker are classified under "Helpers, Construction Trades" (47-3010).

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, more than basic people skills were required for 3.4 percent of construction laborers. Basic people skills were required for 96.6 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of construction laborers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Work schedule varies	73.8	26.2
Ability to pause work (and take brief unscheduled breaks)	39.6	60.4
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework routinely allowed	<0.5	>99.5
Supervising others	1.8	98.2
Supervisor present in immediate work area	87.3	12.7
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. 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 11.4 percent of construction laborers and on-the-job training was required for 84.2 percent.

No minimum education was required for 82.0 percent of construction laborers.

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 0.5 percent of construction laborers. Another 87.9 percent were exposed to moderate noise, 11.9 percent were exposed to loud noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by 55.0 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure and was not used by 45.0 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 greater than 99.5 percent of construction laborers and was not required for less than 0.5 percent. For 23.9 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom required, for 37.0 percent reaching at or below the shoulder was occasionally required, for 39.1 percent reaching at or below the shoulder was frequently required, and for less than 0.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder was required constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for greater than 99.5 percent of construction laborers and was not required for less than 0.5 percent. For 35.8 percent of workers crouching was required to perform low work, 35.8 percent were required to crouch, 36.1 percent required kneeling, and stooping was required for 41.1 percent.

On average, construction laborers spent 10.8 percent of the workday sitting and 89.2 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of construction laborers with physical demands, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Ability to choose to sit or stand for tasks	<5	>95
Driving	47.5	52.5
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	32.2	67.8
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey