Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using precise hand and finger movements to control tools, equipment, or materials.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Construction Laborer or Helper Construction laborers and helpers learn on the job, often under the guidance of experienced workers. Construction laborers and helpers learn on the job. Formal
Education
is not typically required, but some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Education Although laborers and helpers typically do not need a formal educational credential, employers may prefer to hire those who have a high school diploma or the equivalent. For example, an employer may require or prefer that helpers of electricians and helpers of pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters have completed high school. High school classes that may be helpful include mathematics, such as algebra and geometry, and those that are part of career and technical education programs, such as construction technology or welding.
Training
Construction laborers and helpers typically learn on the job. They may start out by shadowing experienced workers, observing what those workers do and performing tasks under their guidance. Some construction laborers complete apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship programs, which are usually sponsored by local unions or trade associations, combine on-the-job training with technical instruction.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Employers often require that construction laborers and helpers complete safety certification that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, either before or after being hired. A valid driver’s license also may be required. Some workers choose to earn optional certifications related to their tasks, such as rigging or scaffolding. Certification helps workers demonstrate that they have the knowledge to perform more complex tasks. Advancement After gaining experience, laborers may have opportunities to supervise staff, oversee jobsites, or start their own business. Helpers sometimes move into construction trades after gaining experience in the field, along with completing any required credentials or training. For example, an electrician’s helper might earn a high school equivalency to enter an electrician apprenticeship and, eventually, go on to become an electrician.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Overall employment of construction laborers and helpers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 137,000 openings for construction laborers and helpers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Projected employment of construction laborers and helpers varies by occupation (see table). Construction laborers work in all fields of construction, and demand for laborers should mirror the level of overall construction activity. Repairing and replacing the nation’s infrastructure, such as the power grid, roads, and water lines, is expected to result in steady demand for laborers. Employment growth for specific types of construction helpers is expected to be driven by the construction and renovation of homes and nonresidential structures. However, shifts in preference for materials, such as prefabricated components, will continue to reduce demand for some helpers. Construction Laborers and Helpers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Construction laborers 7% Construction laborers and helpers 6% Construction and extraction occupations 5% Total, all occupations 3% Helpers, construction trades 0% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Construction Laborers and Helpers Do
Construction laborers and helpers perform tasks, such as using, supplying, or holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment, on construction sites.
Duties
Construction laborers and helpers typically do the following:
- Clean and prepare construction sites by removing debris and possible hazards
- Load or unload building materials to be used in construction
- Build or take apart bracing, scaffolding, and temporary structures
- Dig trenches, backfill holes, or compact earth to prepare for construction
- Operate power tools and handtools, such as jackhammers, saws, and drills
- Assist tradesworkers, such as electricians and plumbers, with their duties
Construction laborers and helpers work on almost all construction sites, performing a range of tasks that may vary in complexity.
Construction laborers, also referred to as construction craft laborers, are involved in a variety of activities during all phases of construction. Some laborers spend their time preparing and cleaning up construction sites, using tools such as shovels and brooms. Other laborers, such as those on road crews, may specialize and learn to control traffic patterns or to operate pavement breakers, jackhammers, earth tampers, or surveying equipment.
With special training, laborers may help transport and use explosives or run hydraulic boring machines to dig tunnels. They may learn to use lasers to place pipes and learn to use computers to control robotic pipe cutters.
Helpers assist construction tradesworkers with a variety of tasks. They may carry tools and materials or help set up equipment. For example, some helpers work with cement masons to move and set the forms that determine the shape of poured concrete. Others assist with tool maintenance, cleaning up sites, and disposing of waste, as well as helping tradesworkers with other tasks.
Many construction occupations have helpers who assist tradesworkers, including:
- Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons, and tile and marble setters
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
- Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Roofers
Apprentices to electricians, plumbers, and other tradesworkers may have tasks that are similar to those of helpers. Information about apprentices is included in the profile for their respective tradesworker.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Construction laborers and helpers held about 1.7 million jobs in 2025. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up construction laborers and helpers was distributed as follows:
| Construction laborers | 1,489,300 |
| Helpers--electricians | 65,000 |
| Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | 45,300 |
| Helpers, construction trades, all other | 25,200 |
| Helpers--carpenters | 21,900 |
| Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters | 14,100 |
| Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons | 7,600 |
| Helpers--roofers | 6,100 |
The largest employers of construction laborers and helpers were as follows:
| Specialty trade contractors | 32% |
| Self-employed workers | 24 |
| Construction of buildings | 17 |
| Heavy and civil engineering construction | 15 |
| Temporary help services | 2 |
Construction laborers and helpers often work outdoors in all weather conditions. Some work at great heights; others work in confined spaces. Travel to jobsites may be required.
Injuries and Illnesses
Construction laborers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Injuries may result from incidents such as slips, falls, and contact with objects or equipment. Workers reduce the risk of injury by following safety procedures and practices, such as wearing a hardhat, steel-toed shoes, or other personal protective equipment (PPE).
Work Schedules
Most construction laborers and helpers work full time, and work schedules may vary. Laborers and helpers on highway and bridge projects may need to work overnight to avoid causing traffic disruptions. In some parts of the country, construction laborers and helpers may work only during certain seasons. For example, in northern climates, cold weather frequently limits construction activity in the winter.
Some construction laborers are self-employed. In contrast, few helpers are self-employed.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Color vision. Electricians’ helpers must be able to distinguish different colors of wire to help the lead electrician. Interpersonal skills. Construction laborers and helpers need to work as a team, cooperating with and assisting others. They also may interact with customers. Math skills. Construction laborers and some helpers need to do basic math calculations, such as when measuring on jobsites or assisting a surveying crew. Mechanical skills. Construction laborers are frequently required to operate and maintain equipment, such as jackhammers. Physical stamina. Construction laborers and helpers must be able to do strenuous tasks throughout the day. Physical strength. Construction laborers and helpers must be able to lift or move heavy materials and equipment.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about construction laborers and helpers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.