Occupation · SOC 47-3019
Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other
All construction trades helpers not listed separately.
Median wage
$40,760
$31,200–$59,280
Projected growth
+4.2%
Average growth
Annual openings
120
per year
Employed (US)
25,510
Job Zone —
Core skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningOperations MonitoringMonitoringCoordinationOperation and ControlSpeakingJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Document management softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Mix mortar, plaster, and grout, manually or using machines, according to standard formulas.Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.Check to ensure that completed roofs are watertight.Sweep and clean roofs to prepare them for the application of new roofing materials.Erect scaffolding or other installation structures.Cut materials to specified sizes for installation, using power saws or tile cutters.Locate worn or torn areas in roofs.Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter.Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.Modify material moving, mixing, grouting, grinding, polishing, or cleaning procedures, according to installation or material requirements.Clean work areas and equipment.Provide assistance in the preparation, installation, repair, or rebuilding of tile, brick, or stone surfaces.Transport materials, tools, or machines to installation sites, manually or using conveyance equipment.Maintain tools and equipment.Cover roofs with layers of roofing felt or asphalt strips before installing tile, slate, or composition materials.Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.Locate and supply materials to masons for installation, following drawings or numbered sequences.Maintain tools, vehicles, and equipment and keep parts and supplies in order.Drill holes and pull or push wiring through openings, using hand and power tools.Clean work area and wash parts.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Blueprint and specification documents — read and interpret basic construction requirements under direct supervisor guidance on an active job site.Safety inspection checklists — complete and submit following established protocols while shadowing a senior trade helper on residential or commercial projects.Hand tools and basic power equipment — identify correct uses and handle with proper grip and control under close supervision on a construction site.Work area hazards — recognize and report potential safety violations to a lead worker during daily site walkthroughs.Material quantities — calculate simple measurements using basic mathematics to assist with material staging under crew leader direction.Verbal instructions from trade supervisors — listen actively and confirm understanding before beginning assigned tasks on a job site.Document management software — enter basic job progress notes and daily logs into digital tracking systems with guidance from office staff.Personal protective equipment and site safety rules — apply consistently and without prompting at all stages of assigned construction tasks.Construction site layout and zoning — identify restricted areas, material storage zones, and access routes following orientation training.Spreadsheet software — input basic labor and material data into pre-formatted templates under the direction of a site administrator.
developing
Construction progress inspections — conduct routine site walkthroughs independently to verify work quality against written specifications and flag discrepancies.Blueprint and drawing sets — read and apply multi-trade specifications to plan daily work procedures with minimal supervisor input on mid-size projects.Small crew activities — coordinate and schedule tasks for a team of two to four laborers based on daily production goals and material availability.Work assignments — distribute specific tasks to crew members according to individual skill levels and job material requirements on active construction sites.Equipment operations — monitor performance indicators and identify early signs of mechanical malfunction during routine operation of light construction machinery.Site safety conditions — evaluate changing environmental and operational hazards and adjust work procedures in familiar construction contexts without waiting for direction.CAD or plan-viewing software — navigate digital drawings to extract dimensions and construction details needed to support ongoing trade work.Subcontractor communications — relay project status updates and schedule changes clearly and accurately using email and office suite tools.Customer and stakeholder inquiries — respond to routine on-site questions with accurate information and professional demeanor on residential or light commercial projects.Math-based layout tasks — apply geometry and measurement calculations independently to set out materials or verify structural alignments in the field.
proficient
Full-scope site inspections — autonomously assess construction progress, equipment condition, and regulatory compliance across all active work zones on a large project.Complex specification sets — interpret multidisciplinary blueprints and engineering drawings to resolve constructability conflicts and plan phased work sequences.Multi-crew coordination — schedule and synchronize the activities of several trade helper groups to maintain project timelines and avoid workflow bottlenecks.Non-routine problem solving — apply critical thinking and field experience to diagnose and correct construction defects or site safety issues without escalation.Equipment control and adjustment — operate and fine-tune light to medium construction machinery with control precision to achieve specification-level outcomes.Risk and judgment decisions — evaluate competing safety, schedule, and quality factors and make independent recommendations to project managers on a construction site.Digital project documentation — produce accurate progress reports, punch lists, and inspection records using document management and spreadsheet software for project records.Cross-trade communication — facilitate clear, effective information exchange between trade helpers, skilled tradespeople, and supervisors to prevent misunderstandings on complex sites.Public safety protocols — enforce site security measures and ensure compliance with OSHA and local safety codes across all assigned crew activities.Mentorship of newer helpers — guide emerging-level workers through task execution and safe equipment use, providing structured feedback on a daily basis.
advanced
Site-wide safety programs — design and implement comprehensive inspection and compliance systems that govern all construction helper activities across multiple concurrent project sites.Workforce planning — determine crew composition, skill requirements, and labor allocation strategies for large-scale construction projects aligned with budget and schedule constraints.Organizational standards development — author construction helper competency protocols, safety procedures, and quality benchmarks adopted across the company or division.Strategic coordination of subcontractors and trade helpers — direct integrated work schedules for complex multi-trade projects involving dozens of workers and tight regulatory deadlines.Technology adoption — evaluate and implement CAD viewers, document management platforms, and digital inspection tools to improve field productivity organization-wide.Leadership pipeline development — establish structured training pathways and mentorship programs that advance emerging helpers to proficient trade positions within the organization.Executive reporting — present project performance data, safety metrics, and workforce utilization analyses to senior management using presentation and office suite software.Cross-functional stakeholder management — negotiate priorities and resolve conflicts between project owners, engineers, inspectors, and construction crews to keep programs on track.Risk governance — lead organizational-level reviews of near-miss incidents, regulatory changes, and site hazard trends to update company-wide public safety and security policies.Culture of craftsmanship — model and institutionalize the values of dependability, integrity, and attention to detail throughout the construction helper workforce at the organizational level.
Also known as
77 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Sheet Rock Taper HelperAwning Hanger HelperPipe Insulator HelperElevator Repairer HelperBridge Ironworker HelperCore Driller HelperCement Sprayer Helper, NozzleTapemanSounderNotemanConstruction FlaggerMetalsmith HelperDiver HelperCarpet or Rug Layer HelperAxmanSurveyor HelperCupola Patcher HelperTerrazzo Polisher HelperPlate Glass Installer HelperAsbestos Worker HelperCement Sprayer HelperRod Buster HelperCupola Liner HelperCarpet Layer HelperTerrazzo Finisher HelperCement MixerCore-Drill-Operator HelperTrench Digger HelperPost Tensioning Ironworker HelperCore-Drill Operator HelperRecorderSheet Rock Installation HelperDrywall Hanger HelperHouse-Mover HelperGlazier HelperStructural Steel Worker HelperLine PullerElevator Constructor HelperTinner HelperConstruction Ironworker Helper