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How Much Does a Construction Worker Make? Best & Worst States for Construction Workers

How much does a construction worker make? What does the construction job market look like in the United States? We put together statistics on…

Average Salary

The average hourly rate for a construction worker is $15.74/hour in the United States, coming to a yearly average of $45,961. You can also expect to make an average of $5,250 in overtime per year. However, your location also plays a part in this. Your salary can vary greatly depending upon the state you work in. In 2018, best-paid 25% of construction workers made $47,910, and the lowest-paid 25% made $28,520:

Image source: U.S. News

5 Best and 5 Worst States for Construction Workers

Here is a quick rundown of where construction workers make the most and least among all American states and territories:

5 Best States For Construction Workers

Minnesota $52,150
New York $51,720
Alaska $50,683
Hawaii $49,871
Massachusetts $49,030

5 Worst States For Construction Workers

Puerto Rico $18,140
Guam $21,720
Arkansas $27,602
Alabama $28,710
Mississippi $28,720

Construction Worker Salaries By The State

In addition to states mentioned above, here’s a breakdown of the yearly salary construction workers can aim to make while working in the remaining states (source: CareerExplorer) —New Mexico $30,770 Michigan $37,530Georgia $33,600 Montana $36,660Oklahoma $30,480 Oregon $38,010Illinois $45,957 Maine $32,950Idaho $31,959 Nevada $34,520Washington $44,580 Kansas $35,221Missouri $42,590 Vermont $35,130Florida $30,060 California $42,521Wisconsin $40,960 Rhode Island $44,210Connecticut $45,826 New Hampshire $36,650District of Columbia $38,870 Pennsylvania $41,260North Dakota $40,560 Indiana $38,380West Virginia $32,900 Virgin Islands $32,980Utah $32,790 Ohio $39,970Iowa $37,402 South Dakota $29,740Delaware $34,960 Virginia $30,890North Carolina $29,730 Arizona $28,908Maryland $33,590 South Carolina $29,320Nebraska $34,660 Colorado $35,470Kentucky $34,690 Tennessee $30,650Wyoming $35,640 Louisiana $33,420Texas $32,630

Factors That Affect Variance In Wage Rate Across Different States

Various social and legal factors contribute to varying wage rates for the same occupation across different geographic locations. Some of them are:

Local Demand For Work

The hourly rate for construction workers is directly proportional to the local demand for their work. Some states feature a higher amount of construction activity as compared to others, which leads to domestic construction workers getting better pay as compared to their fellow countrymen.

Cost Of Living

This is where regional factors come directly into play. Some states have a higher cost of living as compared to others.Therefore, local construction workers have to make a comparatively higher annual salary to have the same purchasing power as construction workers in states with a lower cost of living.

Local Laws

A striking feature of labor laws is how much they differ state to state. From hourly wage laws to working hour restrictions, there is much that these laws dictate.This is an essential factor that contributes towards the varying level of pay construction workers earn across the country.

How Much Does A Construction Worker Make According To Their Experience?

In addition to your location, your experience also plays an important part in determining how much you earn.As a construction worker gets more experienced, they tend to earn more based on their expertise. Here’s a breakdown into the different wage brackets construction workers make based on their experience (source: CareerExplorer) —

Construction manager salaries start at $24.97/hour, earning $51,947/year
Senior-level construction worker salaries start at $20.44/hour, earning $42,522/year
Mid-level construction worker salaries start at $16.37/hour, earning $34,041/year
Junior-level construction worker salaries start at $13.10/hour, earning $27,252/year
Entry-level construction workers’ salaries start at $10.72/hour, earning $22,307/year

Comparison To Similar Professions

On average, construction workers have the same pay range as related professions in the U.S. That said, they tend to make less than roofers, but more than furniture finishers.

Construction painter $38K
Roofer $40K
Maintenance worker $38K
Woodworker $28K
Cabinetmaker $33K
Fork lift operator $33K
Stone cutter $33K
Carpenter $40K
Furniture finisher $32K

A Look Into The Construction Industry

Currently, there are an estimated 1,216,700 construction workers in America, with the construction worker job market expected to experience a 12.4% growth by 2026.

Construction Workers’ Employability

The construction industry provides ample employment opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of construction workers and helpers is projected to grow by 11% from 2018 to 2028, exceeding the average growth rate for all other occupations.

Image source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Demand For Construction Workers

This depends on the overall construction activity and the need for related services. Full-time employment in the industry, however, may be challenging to come by, as employers use construction staffing services to rely on day laborers instead of permanent on-staff employees. Moreover, the introduction of new equipment and machinery promises to boost productivity and efficiency as it also automates some jobs to impact growth and employability. Construction workers with specialized skills might find it easier to relocate and benefit from better prospects – even more so for those with experience in road construction. On the other hand, laborers with limited skills continue to face intense competition, given that the market for day laborers is heavily saturated.We hope that this article helped you find what you were looking for! For more reading, please check out:Stats You Need to Know For Excellent Customer Experience 7 Ways To Create An Improved Customer Experience In 2020 How to Make Outsourcing Worth Your While (As a Small Business)Roofing Sales Tips & Techniques (5 Ways to Get More Business)