Construction Laborers Salary in California
Construction Laborers in California earn a median annual wage of $60,270 —27.9% above the national median of $47,120. That ranks CA #5 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.69× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for construction laborers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $77,110 | $37.07 | 4,580 | 1.03 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $64,060 | $30.80 | 23,590 | 0.78 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $63,390 | $30.48 | 16,210 | 0.63 |
| 4 | Illinois | $60,690 | $29.18 | 35,940 | 0.84 |
| 5 | California | $60,270 | $28.98 | 88,240 | 0.69 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $60,260 | $28.97 | 28,530 | 1.37 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $58,290 | $28.03 | 7,360 | 0.62 |
| 8 | Alaska | $58,060 | $27.91 | 3,690 | 1.61 |
| 9 | Washington | $57,720 | $27.75 | 25,060 | 1.00 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $57,240 | $27.52 | 2,110 | 0.60 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 | $79,920 |
| Electricians | $76,160 | $63,190 |
| Carpenters | $75,920 | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $59,850 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $63,800 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $49,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do construction laborers make in California?
The median annual wage for construction laborers in California is $60,270, or $28.98 per hour. That is 27.9% above the national median of $47,120.
What is the entry-level construction laborers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $40,950 per year ($19.69/hour). The 25th percentile is $48,140.
How many people work as construction laborers in California?
About 88,240 people work in this occupation in California, or 4.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for construction laborers?
California ranks #5 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.69x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays construction laborers the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage at $77,110 per year, followed by New Jersey ($64,060) and Massachusetts ($63,390).