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What is a construction labour and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Construction labour performs physical tasks on construction sites, such as moving materials, operating machinery, and assisting tradespeople. They are responsible for the day-to-day manual labor required to build structures such as buildings, roads, bridges, and tunnels. Construction labourers may use hand tools or heavy equipment, and they must follow safety protocols to prevent accidents or injuries. They may also work in adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat or cold.

ScoreConstruction LabourUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $32,628

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
6.4

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.45%

Asian 2.88%

Black or African American 10.41%

Hispanic or Latino 25.99%

Unknown 4.01%

White 55.26%

Gender

female 6.41%

male 93.59%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress Level
6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
4.1

Complexity Level is basic

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.6

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Construction Labour?

Pros

  • Opportunity for learning new skills

  • Potential for advancement within the industry

  • High demand for workers

  • Variety of work environments and projects

  • Work with a team of skilled professionals

Cons

  • Work can be seasonal and inconsistent

  • Risk of working in dangerous environments or with hazardous materials

  • Unpredictable weather conditions can affect the work schedule

  • Often requires significant travel and time away from home

  • Requires significant physical endurance and strength

Construction Labour career paths

Key steps to become a construction labour

  1. Explore construction labour education requirements

    Most common construction labour degrees

    High School Diploma

    50.9 %

    Bachelor's

    17.8 %

    Associate

    14.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific construction labour skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Hand Tools13.22%
    Asphalt6.29%
    Demolition5.92%
    Ladders5.29%
    Scaffolding4.97%
  3. Complete relevant construction labour training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New construction labours learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a construction labour based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real construction labour resumes.
  4. Gain additional construction labour certifications

    Construction labour certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific construction labour certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for construction labours include OSHA Safety Certificate and Forklift Safety and Inspector.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research construction labour duties and responsibilities

    • Operate hand and power tools, air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, and small mechanical hoists.
    • Operate hand and power tools of all types: chain see, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists.
    • Clean and prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, and rakes.
    • Work on bobcat and excavation equipment; drive heavy trucks - no CDL.
  6. Prepare your construction labour resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your construction labour resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a construction labour resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Construction Labour Resume templates

    Build a professional Construction Labour resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Construction Labour resume.
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    Construction Labour Resume
  7. Apply for construction labour jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a construction labour job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Construction Labour Job

Zippi

Are you a Construction Labour?

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Average construction labour salary

The average Construction Labour salary in the United States is $32,628 per year or $16 per hour. Construction labour salaries range between $24,000 and $43,000 per year.

Average Construction Labour Salary
$32,628 Yearly
$15.69 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do construction labours rate their job?

5/5

Based On 2 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Construction Labour reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2023
Cons

Long hours very hard work


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

I like to diminish demolition and sheetrock putting up helping and cleaning the surrounding

Cons

Don't have any specific thing that I don't like I just like working hard and working smart and being safe for everyone


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Pros

Learning something how to use different power tools

Cons

Working outside in the elements.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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