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How to hire a construction assistant

Construction assistant hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring construction assistants in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a construction assistant is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per construction assistant on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 472,608 construction assistants in the US and 31,209 job openings.
  • San Francisco, CA, has the highest demand for construction assistants, with 5 job openings.
  • New York, NY has the highest concentration of construction assistants.

How to hire a construction assistant, step by step

To hire a construction assistant, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a construction assistant:

Here's a step-by-step construction assistant hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a construction assistant job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new construction assistant
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a construction assistant do?

A construction assistant performs various clerical and operational support tasks to assist construction managers and maintain smooth workflow operations. Their responsibilities usually include monitoring budgets and costs, handling calls and correspondence, purchasing construction materials according to project requirements, liaising with suppliers and construction contractors, and participating in managing the schedules and activities of the workers. A construction assistant may also perform inspections to identify problem areas and ensure that all procedures adhere to the safety codes and standards.

Learn more about the specifics of what a construction assistant does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your construction assistant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a construction assistant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A construction assistant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, construction assistants from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    Here's a comparison of construction assistant salaries for various roles:

    Type of Construction AssistantDescriptionHourly rate
    Construction AssistantConstruction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.$13-25
    Prestressed Concrete LabourPrestressed concrete labor works at construction sites where they are in charge of handling and processing prestressed concrete materials into structural forms. They typically coordinate with managers and engineers to learn the construction plans and guidelines, design and build structures, prepare materials, and perform corrective measures when necessary... Show more$12-20
    Carpenter/LabourCarpenters/ Laborers do general maintenance tasks and help in mechanical and carpentry-related jobs. Carpenters are versatile workers and perform different construction duties... Show more$12-22
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Safety Procedures
    • Construction Projects
    • General Contractors
    • Drywall Installation
    • Equipment Operators
    • Manual Labor
    • Construction Management
    • Shovels
    • Tampers
    • Autocad
    • Caulking
    • Hazardous Materials
    • General Construction
    • Identify Building Materials
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Fix electrical fixtures and manage plumbing problems effectively.
    • Employ a wide verity of hand and power tools including hoists, drills, precision measuring instruments and electronic testing devices.
    • Negotiate material sales contracts, document historical information, provide earned value management, and safety oversight for projects/programs.
    • Prepare plans and specifications for new and existing housing, supervise sub-contractors to insure compliance with HUD requirements.
    More construction assistant duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your construction assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A construction assistant salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, construction assistants' average salary in utah is 49% less than in hawaii.
    • Seniority. Entry-level construction assistants earn 48% less than senior-level construction assistants.
    • Certifications. A construction assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a construction assistant's salary.

    Average construction assistant salary

    $39,072yearly

    $18.78 hourly rate

    Entry-level construction assistant salary
    $28,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 27, 2025

    Average construction assistant salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$51,174$25
    2California$47,208$23
    3Washington$46,382$22
    4District of Columbia$46,330$22
    5Oregon$43,187$21
    6Michigan$41,048$20
    7Arizona$39,844$19
    8Virginia$39,186$19
    9Texas$36,005$17
    10Tennessee$35,543$17
    11Georgia$34,476$17
    12South Dakota$34,041$16
    13Florida$33,356$16
    14Oklahoma$32,657$16
    15Utah$31,162$15

    Average construction assistant salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Beazer Homes$76,636$36.843
    2Culver Academies$68,258$32.82
    3BMWC Constructors$67,197$32.31
    4HITT Contracting$63,796$30.67125
    5D.R. Horton$59,134$28.431
    6Shimmick Construction$55,742$26.801
    7Lennar$53,322$25.6425
    8Good Times Restaurants$49,831$23.96
    9Drees Homes$48,078$23.112
    10Springfield Technical Community College$45,182$21.72
    11Oldcastle Infrastructure$42,470$20.4246
    12Eagle Electric$41,217$19.821
    13Habitat For Humanity Of Metro Denver$39,572$19.02
    14Lighthouse Electric$39,445$18.964
    15Westcare Health Corporation$38,633$18.57
    16Essel Infraprojects$38,633$18.57104
    17Colorado State Express$38,633$18.57
    18ManpowerGroup$38,423$18.4729
    19PeopleReady$37,618$18.0930
    20Habitat for Humanity$37,488$18.023
  4. Writing a construction assistant job description

    A construction assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a construction assistant job description:

    Construction assistant job description example

    We are a busy building company that invests in our team and champions the continued personal and professional development of our team . We pay our Construction Superintendent Assistants a competitive wage and our team also enjoys great benefits , including medical, vision, dental, paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, a 401(k) with company match, a Health Savings Account, short-term and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, growth opportunities, and bonus potential . Plus, we make it easy to apply with our initial quick mobile-optimized application . If we have your attention, please continue reading!


    ABOUT EAGLE CONSTRUCTION

    We offer expertise in three key areas: construction, design-build, and project management. In each of these sectors, our projects stand out as signatures of our commitment to excellence, innovation, and value. To achieve these stand-out results, we rely on decades of experience and utilize the latest technology. In this way, we ensure that each project, whether residential or commercial, boasts the high level of quality our clients expect.

    Our dedicated staff is highly trained in every aspect of the building process through advanced education and real-world experience. We value our staff and see their safety as one of our highest priorities . In addition, we offer generous benefits and company gatherings as a way to thank them for their loyalty and their added commitment to excellence and innovation


    ARE YOU A GOOD FIT?

    Ask yourself: Are you an experienced construction professional who is adept in mechanical and architectural reasoning? Do you think outside the box to arrive at innovative solutions? Are you able to manage trade contractors and establish a good rapport with them? Do you have a high regard for safety? Are you efficient and able to effectively prioritize tasks? Do you have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment while successfully managing stress? Do you work well with a variety of people? Are you great at multitasking, organization, and follow-through? Are you excited about the opportunity to travel as part of your career? Do you want to work for a highly reputable company that considers safety its highest priority ? Would you like to join an organization that values its employees' happiness ? If so, please consider applying for this essential building management position today!


    YOUR LIFE AS A CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT ASSISTANT

    This essential management position works a full-time schedule with travel about 80% of the time . Project locations are within 5 hours of Sioux Falls.

    As a Construction Superintendent Assistant, you play a key role in the day-to-day operations of our projects as you assist the superintendent. You are organized and forward-thinking as you procure materials, present weekly project meetings, schedule subcontractors, and lead your crew. You are personable and communicate easily with a variety of people. When it's time for obtaining permits, you know exactly how to reach out to the city. For establishing boundaries and site controls, you work with the surveyors and excavators. You are proficient and experienced in working with apartments, townhomes, and land development. Your job knowledge makes you the perfect person to provide education to trade contractors in understanding construction documents. Every day has new experiences. Whether traveling or staying close to home, your job is exciting and fulfilling .


    WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

    • 2+ years of related experience
    • Ability to travel within 5 hours of Sioux Falls up to 80% of the time
    • Strong understanding of OSHA requirements
    • Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, and architectural components
    • Computer literacy

    CDL and equipment training is preferred but not required. If you can meet these requirements and perform this management job as described above, we would be happy to have you as part of our team!

    Location: 57104



    Job Posted by ApplicantPro
  5. Post your job

    To find construction assistants for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any construction assistants they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level construction assistants with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your construction assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit construction assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting construction assistants requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new construction assistant

    Once you've decided on a perfect construction assistant candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new construction assistant. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a construction assistant?

Recruiting construction assistants involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $39,072 per year for a construction assistant, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for construction assistants in the US typically range between $13 and $25 an hour.

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