Occupation · SOC 47-2061
Construction Laborers
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.
Median wage
$46,730
$34,200–$77,530
Projected growth
+7.3%
Faster than average
Annual openings
10,650
per year
Employed (US)
1,057,660
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
206 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingOperation and ControlCoordinationActive ListeningOperations MonitoringReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringEquipment SelectionTime ManagementEquipment MaintenanceJudgment and Decision MakingWritingTroubleshootingRepairingService OrientationQuality Control AnalysisLearning StrategiesInstructingActive LearningSystems EvaluationPersuasionNegotiationMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems AnalysisInstallationOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignScienceManagement of Financial ResourcesProgramming
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionPublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementDesignMathematicsEnglish LanguageEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingTransportationPhilosophy and TheologyAdministrativePhysicsCommunications and MediaPsychologyComputers and ElectronicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesMedicine and DentistryGeographyChemistrySociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingTelecommunicationsLaw and GovernmentHistory and ArcheologyForeign LanguageEconomics and AccountingBiologyFine ArtsSales and MarketingFood Production
Technology & tools
Autodesk RevitMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationControlling Machines and ProcessesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleAnalyzing Data or InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationThinking CreativelyProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicProcessing InformationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentCoaching and Developing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesAssisting and Caring for OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming Administrative Activities
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Construction site hazards — recognize and report under direct supervision during initial site cleanup and preparation activities.Hand tools and basic equipment — identify and handle safely under close direction on an active construction site.Building materials, machinery, and tools — assist in loading, unloading, and distributing to designated locations according to supervisor instruction.Picks, shovels, and rakes — use to dig, backfill, or level soil under direct guidance following basic grade specifications.Pumps, compressors, and generators — monitor basic operation and report irregularities to a lead worker on a job site.Simple hand signals — observe and follow to assist equipment operators during material movement under supervised conditions.Site cleanup tasks — perform removal of debris and elimination of basic hazards under step-by-step direction on a construction site.Verbal instructions and basic project specifications — listen actively and confirm understanding before beginning assigned tasks.Measuring tapes and marking tools — use to record basic distances and mark layout areas under direct supervision.Machinery and tool lubrication — assist in routine cleaning and oiling tasks following a supervisor's demonstrated procedure.
developing
Pumps, compressors, and generators — operate with limited oversight to supply power for tools and machinery during routine construction activities.Construction site layouts — measure, mark, and record openings and distances with moderate independence using standard measuring instruments.Project plans and written specifications — read and interpret to determine daily work activities with occasional clarification from a lead worker.Pneumatic tampers and compaction equipment — operate to compact and level earth to grade specifications on excavation and backfill tasks.Hand signal communication — execute established signals to guide equipment operators during alignment and material placement in familiar site conditions.Machinery and equipment — perform routine lubrication, cleaning, and minor repairs following standard maintenance checklists.Building materials inventory — coordinate loading, unloading, and distribution to correct locations by cross-referencing project plans with minimal supervision.Multiple simultaneous tasks — coordinate physical actions across limbs and tools to maintain productivity and safety on a busy job site.Site hazard protocols — apply public safety and security procedures consistently during daily site preparation and cleanup activities.Crew communication — exchange clear verbal information with co-workers and supervisors to support task sequencing on an active construction site.
proficient
Complex project specifications and CAD output — read and apply independently to set out accurate layouts and guide construction work across full project scope.Excavation and trenching operations — perform and oversee digging, backfilling, and compaction to precise grade specifications using a range of pneumatic and manual equipment.Pumps, compressors, and generators — manage and troubleshoot independently to maintain continuous power supply for tools, heating, and material movement on large job sites.Non-routine equipment malfunctions — diagnose and resolve mechanical issues with tools and site machinery using applied knowledge of mechanical systems.Material distribution logistics — plan and execute efficient loading, unloading, and placement of building materials aligned to evolving project plans without supervision.Equipment operator coordination — direct complex alignment and movement maneuvers using precise hand signals and verbal cues in high-traffic site environments.Site safety compliance — evaluate and remediate potential hazards across an entire construction site, applying public safety and security standards proactively.Operations monitoring — track performance of multiple running machines and systems simultaneously, identifying anomalies and adjusting controls to maintain safe output.Site preparation quality — verify that ground conditions, measurements, and markings meet specification tolerances before work progresses to next phases.Cross-trade coordination — communicate effectively with tradespeople from multiple disciplines to align task sequencing and prevent workflow conflicts on large projects.
advanced
Site-wide safety culture — establish and enforce safety standards and hazard-elimination procedures across all crews and subcontractors on large-scale construction projects.Crew performance and development — mentor emerging and developing laborers in technical skills, work habits, and safety compliance through structured on-the-job coaching.Project plan integration — translate complex architectural and engineering specifications into actionable daily task assignments for a full laborer crew.Equipment fleet management — set maintenance schedules and operational protocols for pumps, compressors, generators, and heavy tools across multiple concurrent job sites.Productivity and resource planning — use project management software and spreadsheets to forecast labor, material, and equipment needs and minimize site downtime.Cross-functional communication — liaise with project managers, engineers, and subcontractor leads to align construction sequencing and resolve escalated site issues.Workforce coordination strategy — organize multi-crew task sequences, signal protocols, and material flow to maximize efficiency on complex, high-volume construction sites.Quality and grade compliance — lead verification of earthwork, compaction, and layout accuracy against engineering specifications before critical construction milestones.Incident response leadership — direct site response to equipment failures, injuries, or safety breaches, applying emergency protocols and documenting outcomes for organizational records.Continuous improvement — evaluate site processes, identify inefficiencies in material handling and equipment use, and implement procedural changes that raise team-wide performance standards.
Also known as
247 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Air Breaker OperatorAir Drill OperatorAir Gun OperatorAir Hammer OperatorAir Tool OperatorAluminum Pool InstallerAsbestos Removal WorkerAsphalt Distributor TenderAsphalt Heater TenderAsphalt LayerAsphalt PatcherAsphalt PaverAsphalt RakerAsphalt SmootherAsphalt SpreaderAsphalt TamperAsphalt WorkerAuxiliary Equipment TenderAwning HangerAwning InstallerAxmanBatch DumperBellerBelterBeltmanBiofuels Plant Construction WorkerBituminous Asphalt TechnicianBlack Top RakerBlack TopperBottom ManBottom WorkerBreast WorkerBridge BuilderBroom ManBroom WorkerBrush CutterBull Float FinisherBurlap ManBurlap WorkerCaisson Worker