1. All Occupations
  2. Construction and Extraction Occupations
  3. Construction Laborers

Construction Laborers

Prospects: Very Favorable

*According to projected annual openings and year-over-year growth
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). Excludes “Hazardous Materials Removal Workers” (47-4041).

Current openings

Construction Craft Laborer 3
Construction Laborer 56

Number of positions

2012: 25,460    2014: 26,150

Annual job postings

New: 340    Replacement: 160
(Total: 500)   

Salaries in NYC

Starting at:
$29,060
($13/hour)
Middle:
$62,180
($29/hour)
Up to:
$74,680
($35/hour)
Average:
$59,470
($28/hour)

Educational requirements

Minimum education:
Less than high school

Work experience:
None

On-the-job training:
Short-term on-the-job training

Education level achieved by workers

 

Sources: New York State Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor.