Construction Laborers
SOC Code: 47-2061 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Construction Laborers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $44,803 | $60,549 | $76,315 | $92,061 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $44,138 | $58,386 | $72,634 | $86,882 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $52,582 | $64,002 | $75,442 | $86,861 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $44,304 | $57,886 | $71,469 | $85,051 |
| Vineland, NJ | $45,448 | $58,240 | $71,053 | $83,845 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $51,480 | $62,150 | $72,800 | $83,470 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $42,099 | $55,578 | $69,077 | $82,555 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $47,174 | $58,843 | $70,512 | $82,181 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $44,242 | $56,555 | $68,848 | $81,162 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $41,891 | $54,954 | $68,016 | $81,078 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.2 | |
| Active Listening | 3.1 | |
| Coordination | 3.1 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 2.8 | |
| Equipment Selection | 2.6 | |
| Monitoring | 2.6 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Building and Construction | 4.0 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.2 |
| Mechanical | 3.0 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 2.8 |
| Education and Training | 2.4 |
| Administration and Management | 2.3 |
| Design | 2.2 |
| Mathematics | 2.2 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 34.9% |
| Less than high school | 32.5% |
| Some college | 28.0% |
| Associate's degree | 4.6% |
Typical Tasks
- Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards.
- Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
- Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
- Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.
- Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
- Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications.
- Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
- Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Calculate your wage level for Construction Laborers →
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