Annual Average Salary Information
Annual Average Salary: $55,900
What does a Construction earn?
Construction workers in the U.S. are typically paid an average of $55,900 annually. These workers handle a variety of different tasks such as laying foundations, framing, installing siding and roofs, and plumbing. They often work on residential and commercial projects and can specialise in specific areas of construction, such as carpentry, drywall installation, and more.
How to earn more as a Construction
To become a construction professional, you will need a degree in construction, engineering, or architecture. Alternatively, you can gain experience through an apprenticeship or a bachelors' degree in construction engineering technology. To earn more in the industry, you can move into a specialised area, such as structural engineering, or become a project manager in a construction business. You could also become self-employed or set up your own construction business.
Construction responsibilities
The average Construction Worker salary in the USA depends on the responsibilities of the job and the skills and training required to perform it. The job title could be for a skilled role in construction trades, such as Stonemason or Electrician, a physical labor and power tools role, such as Construction Laborer, or planning and inspection positions, such as Building Inspector.
Most construction worker and maintenance jobs will see you responsible for tasks like moving materials on construction sites, mixing products, installing utilities, erecting scaffolding, and managing hazards. You may work in a team, create an estimate for services, prepare sites, operate hand tools and equipment, and assist surveyors, other craft workers, and project management professionals.
Salary ranges and base salary increases for leaders of construction projects, inspectors, and highly-trained construction industry workers.
Skills and education level
How much does a Construction Worker make? The average construction worker salary increases with training and higher education. Most companies will pay more if you have a high school diploma. You should be paid higher salaries and compensation if your job requires a high school degree, associate degree, bachelor's, or master's. The highest salary ranges are seen by individuals who attain accreditations and certification for their role, so continued education will offer most a great opportunity to earn a higher base salary.
If you have not got your U.S. high school diploma, you can take the General Education Development Test (GED) to highlight you have the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate. You can take the GED test in America or from more than 90 countries around the world.
Top construction worker skills employees should promote include teamwork and support, time management, physical fitness, general construction expertise, and basic computer skills.
What to expect from Construction careers
You can start your career as a construction worker in high-paying industries at a junior or trainee level. Your initial compensation will be greater if you have certifiable skills or achieved a graduate-level education. You might work inside a building or outdoors at a construction site, so working in all weather conditions is something to expect. If this is your intended career, many employment opportunities exist with small and large companies.
While hours may vary across industries, most construction workers operate during the day, although overtime and weekend work is common. You might do the same thing every day, or enjoy performing various tasks at the same or continually changing locations. In the oil and gas industry, you could work offshore.
Construction job title
There are numerous job titles within the construction industry. Examples of construction-related job titles include Cement Mason, Earth Driller, Fence Erector, Highway Maintenance Worker, Oil and Gas Roustabout, and Painter. Specialized roles requiring industry knowledge and a more significant experience level, command higher pay and salaries.
You can search for construction worker vacancies and salaries on Checkasalary.com for positions including Taper, Tile Setter, Solar Photovoltaic Installer, Rebar Worker, Plaster, and more.
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Highest-paying locations for Construction jobs
The location of your construction job in America and the United States can significantly affect your pay and compensation. You can use our Salary Calculator to check the annual salary and hourly average salary for jobs in any location in America. We have salary and pay data for locations such as California, Colorado, Virginia, and more.
You could consider relocating to improve your construction compensation. However, if you do not wish to relocate, this does not mean you cannot improve your pay. A short commute and working for a business in an inner city location will often mean access to better salaries. If you are interested in a job in a rural location or city, you can use our annual salary data to check if employers are offering a below, above or average salary.
Construction professional development
The salary for construction professionals varies depending on the individual’s career level and experience in the field. Entry-level positions have the lowest pay, while fully qualified workers, senior staff, and management earn more. Graduates with relevant qualifications may command a higher starting salary. To increase your earning potential, consider taking training opportunities such as workshops or online courses. Our per-hour and annual salary data provide guidance on the wage range and earnings for junior, intermediate, and senior industry roles.
Construction work experience
Obtaining prior construction work experience in your chosen career path can significantly enhance your chances of getting hired and earning a competitive salary. Practical experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, shadowing, and vacation work can provide valuable skills and knowledge in the field. If it is not possible to find work experience directly for your prospective job, showcasing transferable skills gained from other experiences can also be beneficial to potential employers and demonstrate your experience level.
Construction working hours
Working hours for your construction job and career can have an impact on monthly pay and salaries. Companies of different sizes may offer higher overtime pay or additional compensation for working non-traditional hours, such as evenings, weekends, or holidays. The type of employment, such as part-time, full-time, permanent, temporary, or contract, can also affect the salary received and should be considered when evaluating compensation fairness.
Construction salary negotiations
To be well-prepared for construction salary negotiations with employers, it’s crucial to research and understand the typical salaries and other compensation factors, such as average bonus, for prospective positions. Use our salary comparison tool and perform searches for different job titles and locations to determine your worth.
Keep in mind that compensation is not only limited to financial benefits and performance-related commission, and consider other benefits such as the ability to work from home, additional paid vacation, gym membership, or private healthcare.
Annual salary, median salary, and taxes
When you review the median salary or annual salary for a construction role, it is vital to remember that you will pay taxes on salaries paid. When you receive your pay, you may be liable for various employment taxes, either deducted by your employer or required by self-payment. U.S. government taxes can include Federal Income Tax, Federal and State Unemployment Tax, Social Security and Medicare Tax, and Additional Medicare Taxes.
Construction job search
If you are seeking a better salary, start your construction job search today. You can search for jobs by job title and set up job alerts to get notified as soon as an employer posts their vacancy.