Construction Worker Salary
The salaries are what attract many people to construction work. Construction workers can be very well paid but the salary levels are usually based upon experience, skills, licensure and other factors.
Something that persons entering the business should be aware of is that entry level construction workers often make a very low salary. This is higher than other labor salaries but it’s actually quite low for skilled worker.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys industries including construction. The figures compared by the USBLS are fairly accurate but they can be two or three years out of date. For information construction labor salaries in other countries individuals will have to refer to governments there.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs003.htm
Construction Laborer Salaries
The most basic level of construction work is unskilled manual laborer. This work simply requires physical strength and endurance. It is usually backbreaking and low paid.
The average salary for a construction laborer in the US in 2008 was $15.96 an hour or $33,190 a year for all construction laborers. The salary for unskilled construction laborers was around $14.01 an hour or $29,150 a year.
This work can be easy to get but it is often seasonal in nature and unsteady. In many cases such workers are hired on a day by day basis.
Those who worked in nonresidential construction often made a slightly higher wage than those in residential construction. Persons working for temporary employment or labor agencies made the lowest wage around $10.80 an hour.
Skilled Construction Workers
The best way for construction workers to make a better wage is get a specialized skill of some sort. Specialty construction workers can have a harder time finding work but when they do work they make more money.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers made an average of $41,080 a year in 2008 which came to $19.75 an hour. Plasterers and stucco masons made around $19.84 an hour or $41,260 a year.
Building finishing contractors a category which includes carpenters, painters and others many of whom work on a contract basis made an average of $42,430 a year in 2008. Similar workers in residential building construction made $40,740 a year or $19.59 an hour. Those in nonresidential which included commercial construction made a bit more usually around $42,690 a year or $20.52 an hour.
The average wage for carpenters in 2008 was $20.98 an hour or $43,640 a year. The highest paid and presumably the most skilled carpenters made around $34.01 an hour or $70,750 a year.
Other Expenses
There are other expenses that can quickly eat up a lot of a construction worker’s salary. Construction workers should consider these when they enter the industry.
Something to consider is that many people in the skilled professions will have to provide their own tools. This can cost several hundred or several thousand dollars a year.
Independent contractors may have to pay for bonding or insurance which can cost several hundred dollars a year. In most of the United States independent contractors and those who work for smaller firms will have to pay for their own health insurance which can cost several thousand dollars a year.
Workers will probably have to purchase and operate a vehicle which cost well over $10,000 a year. Many construction workers also have long commutes which can add to costs. Others may need to travel which can also cost a lot of money.
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