Research Summary. Here are some key points about hiring construction labours in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a construction labour is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new construction labour to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

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How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Construction Labour

Before you start to hire construction labours, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire construction labours pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $32,628 per year for a construction labour, 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 labours in the US typically range between $11 and $20 an hour.

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How to hire a Construction Labour, step by step

To hire a construction labour, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a construction labour, you should follow these steps:

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

1
Identify Your Needs

Before you get started with hiring a construction labour, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

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Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

Hiring the perfect construction labour also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires, and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

The list breaks down common construction labour roles and compares their salaries.

Type Of Construction LabourDescriptionHourly Rate
Construction LabourConstruction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.$11-20
Trades HelperAs a Trades Helper, your duties will include obtaining parts and equipment for supervising tradesmen. You will have to carry out some complex routine tasks involving the use of machinery and equipment... Show More$10-28
Helper/ApprenticeHelpers/apprentices are skilled employees who are responsible for performing various tasks that are related to the construction industry while learning the trade from a skilled employer. These employees must assist skilled tradesmen by performing general construction duties while following the rules and safety regulations of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)... Show More$12-19

2
Create An Ideal Candidate Profile

Before you start to recruit construction labours, imagine the ideal employee for this position and begin creating a profile and job description. What skills do they have, and what responsibilities do they have to be proficient in?

Here are some of the most common construction labour skills:

Common Skills:
  • Hand Tools
  • Asphalt
  • Demolition
  • Ladders
  • Scaffolding
  • OSHA
  • Safety Procedures
  • Work Ethic
  • Physical Labor
  • Roofing
  • Shovels
  • Manual Labor
  • Excavations
  • Traffic Control
Check All Skills

Here is a list of common responsibilities that construction labours may be expected to fulfill:

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.
  • Clean and prepare sites, dig trenches and set braces to support the sides of excavations.
  • Clean grounds, using rakes, brooms and hoses.
Check all Duties

Cultural fit is also an essential factor that you shouldn't overlook. Consider how your perfect construction labour will contribute to the team dynamic and help grow the team's culture in a positive way. If you can include a clear vision of this in your construction labour job description, it'll help attract candidates who are better suited for the position.

Most Common States For Construction Labours In The US

Rank #State# Of Jobs% of PopulationAvg. Salary
1Washington3435%$41,363
2Iowa31410%$33,535
3Colorado3106%$34,924
4Wisconsin2625%$34,889
5Oregon2356%$37,991

Professional Project Manager CV example

3
Make A Budget

Including a salary range in the job description is a good way to get more applicants. A construction labour salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, their level of experience, education and certifications, and the prestige of the employer. For example, the average salary for a construction labour in Utah may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level construction labour. Additionally, a construction labour with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

Updated March 16, 2023

Construction Labour Salary Estimate

$15.69hourly

$32,628 yearly

Entry level Salary
$24,000 yearly

Construction Labour Average Salary By Location

RankStateAvg. SalaryHourly RateJob Count
1New York$43,519$219
2California$41,703$20
3Washington$41,435$204
4Minnesota$40,963$205
5New Jersey$39,448$19

Construction Labour Average Salary By Company

4
Writing a Construction Labour Job Description

A construction labour 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. Below, you can find an example of a construction labour job description:

Example of Full Job Description

Are you interested in a career that truly makes an impact? Do you want your job to help make nature and communities better with each project you touch?

At RES, we believe that human progress and the restoration of nature's resources can go hand in hand. Our belief made us what we are today - the nation's leading ecological restoration company, with over 300 stream miles restored and conserved, 20,000,000 trees planted, and 15,000 acres of special-status species habitat established. We restore our land and waters with integrity and innovation, one community at a time.

Do you want to be part of a team whose talent and dedication are unmatched in the industry? RES is accepting applications for a full-time
Laborer with prior construction and/or landscape experience.
What your day-to-day might look like?
Responsibilities
Primary job is seeding, mulching, and installing erosion control matting Work with construction crews on manual labor activities to support overall project Perform routine inspection and preventive maintenance on assigned equipment Clean equipment and reports any service related concerns promptly to supervisor Maintain a positive working relationship with customers and co-workers Qualifications
Qualifications
Previous experience in outdoor construction Experience and understanding of engineered blue print drawings & specifications Must be willing and able to travel overnight and work at assigned project locations weekly Willingness & ability to occasionally lift 70 pounds Experience as a Laborer on Stream Restoration and/or Wetland construction projects preferred We invite you to become a part of our team!

VEVRAA Federal Contractor

RES is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of a diverse workforce. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by federal, state or local law.

5
Post A Job

To find construction labours 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 labours they would recommend.
  • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level construction labours 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 labour job on Zippia to find and attract quality construction labour candidates.
  • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
  • Post a job on free websites.

6
Interview Process

To successfully recruit construction labours, your first interview needs to be all about engaging with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

You should also ask about candidates' special skills and talents to see if they match with the ideal candidate profile you came up with earlier. Candidates who are good enough for the next step can then 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 Labour

Once you've selected the best construction labour candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks that you're offering the candidate. It's essential to ensure that your offer is competitive, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it's important to be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8
Go Through The Checklist For The Hiring Process

  • 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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Hiring Construction Labours FAQs

How Much Does A Good Construction Labour Cost?

A good construction labour costs $15.69 an hour in the US. However, it can vary based on factors such as the construction labour experience, abilities, industry, and the specific requirements of your business.

What Are The Duties Of A Construction Labour?

The duties of a construction labour are:
  • 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.

Should I Hire A Construction Labour With No Experience?

Yes, you should hire a construction labour with no experience. Hiring an entry-level construction labour with no experience offers versatility for your team. They may lack some qualifications, but are adaptable and have not yet formed problematic habits. However, more training may be required compared to experienced.

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