Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalaryResumeSkillsWhat They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob Description

How To Hire

Best CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesJob OutlookCompareFAQsPart Time jobsEntry Level jobsFull Time jobsLocations

How to hire a construction worker

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

  • There are a total of 767,992 construction workers in the US, and there are currently 53,067 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a construction worker is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per construction worker on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Denver, CO, has the highest demand for construction workers, with 8 job openings.

How to hire a construction worker, step by step

To hire a construction worker, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a construction worker:

Here's a step-by-step construction worker 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 worker job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new construction worker
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a construction worker do?

Construction workers are part of a crew laborers responsible for a number of easy to extremely challenging and hazardous on-site constructions tasks such as preparing the area, clearing debris, building scaffolding, bracing, loading and unloading building materials, and assisting with operating heavy equipment like concrete mixers. They specialize in a variety of occupations that involve building homes and businesses, roads and highways, tearing down properties, removing high-risk materials, and in the digging of tunnels and mine shafts. They test machinery and equipment to ensure they are working properly. They may also transport stocks and materials from suppliers and vehicles to the job site.

Learn more about the specifics of what a construction worker does
jobs
Post a construction worker job for free, promote it for a fee

  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The construction worker hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

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

    A construction worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, construction workers 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.

    This list shows salaries for various types of construction workers.

    Type of Construction WorkerDescriptionHourly rate
    Construction WorkerConstruction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.$11-20
    MasonA mason is responsible for shaping artificial mineral products, concrete blocks, stone pieces, and bricks to create structures essential for construction or other building purposes using various machinery and equipment, following the highest safety standards and production procedures. Masons analyze schematics and blueprints, applying the clients' specifications and customization to their product expertise... Show more$13-32
    General HelperGeneral helpers are skilled workers who help other workers by performing tasks that need less skill, such as holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment. These helpers are required to provide general labor support to all departments while performing a variety of job assignments... Show more$13-20
    Show more

  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Roofing
    • Safety Rules
    • Sheetrock
    • Tape Measure
    • Equipment Operators
    • Masonry
    • Shovels
    • Excavations
    • General Construction
    • Caulking
    • Construction Equipment
    • Hazardous Materials
    • Manual Labor
    • Dump Truck
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage and decide all remodel activities.
    • Operate cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments.
    • Operate the recycle baler machine.
    • Require PPE / OSHA requirements and respirator tests perform.
    • General cleaning responsibilities; run cash register and greet customers.
    • Assist in all phases of construction, demo, and remodeling on an apprentice basis
    More construction worker duties

  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your construction worker job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A construction worker salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a construction worker in Georgia may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level construction worker usually earns less than a senior-level construction worker. Additionally, a construction worker with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average construction worker salary

    $15.31hourly

    $31,842 yearly
    Entry-level construction worker salary
    $23,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 10, 2026

    Average construction worker salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$47,620$23
    2Massachusetts$47,367$23
    3Connecticut$44,027$21
    4California$43,412$21
    5Missouri$39,508$19
    6Ohio$38,242$18
    7Iowa$36,082$17
    8Montana$35,644$17
    9Nebraska$34,090$16
    10Kansas$33,657$16
    11Colorado$32,882$16
    12Arizona$31,649$15
    13Maryland$31,181$15
    14Florida$30,750$15
    15South Carolina$30,733$15
    16New Mexico$30,203$15
    17Louisiana$29,732$14
    18Utah$29,363$14
    19Texas$29,107$14
    20Georgia$28,335$14

    Average construction worker salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1CDM Smith$67,457$32.431,608
    2Visa$51,012$24.52
    3Lakeland Electric$45,839$22.04
    4MDU Resources$41,634$20.02
    5Arkansas Electric Cooperative$37,007$17.79
    6CruzCompanies$36,298$17.45
    7Fort Peck Community College$36,298$17.45
    8The Towbes Group$36,272$17.44
    9Clyde Companies$34,730$16.707
    10Pomona College$34,730$16.70
    11University of Georgia Small Business Development Center$34,477$16.5852
    12Earth Tech$34,339$16.51
    13American States Utility Services$33,806$16.25
    14Trillium Staffing$33,781$16.24
    15PLI$33,735$16.22
    16JD Steel Co$33,623$16.16
    17SMART$33,345$16.03
    18United Petroleum Transports$33,292$16.01
    19Asa Carlton$33,234$15.98
    20Snelling$33,115$15.9233

  4. Writing a construction worker job description

    A good construction worker job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a construction worker job description:

    Construction worker job description example

    Mills Construction offers full-time year-round work and no overnight travel along with PTO, Holidays, Insurance, and a Matching 401K. Excellent opportunity for Construction workers to join our team in Watertown or Brookings, SD! Mills Construction Inc. is a great team made up of 7 smaller teams. Construction workers are needed to assist our team on area building projects. Workers can advance to Superintendent as they continue to learn from more skilled craftmen and gain experience. They report to the Field Superintendent or the Foreman when directed to do so by the Field Superintendent. Applicants must display respect and service, work as a team, have a strong work ethic with physical strength and endurance, working well with your hands.

    What you will do

    • Use tools and building materials to assist on area building projects
    • All phases of light duty commercial construction with wood and steel building products
    • Work in a team while following instructions and safety guidelines
    • Solely accountable for the fulfillment of all assigned duties and has authority delegated equal with assigned responsibilities. These include safety, productivity, quality control, material and inventory control/planning, maintenance and care for tools, blueprint/plan reading, reporting and paperwork accuracy.

    What qualifications you need
    1 year of on-the-job construction experience or at least 6 month of on-the-job experience with a Building Trades Degree or Journeyman Certification is preferred.
    All tools and equipment will be furnished except for a small assortment of required hand tools.
    Must have basic knowledge of construction procedures and practices.
    Need to be able to measure accurately, use specific tools and equipment once trained.
    Be physically fit with no physical limitations, strong enough to lift at least 75 pounds and agile as the position requires the ability to climb ladders, lift heavy objects, etc.



    #hc30356

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right construction worker for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your construction worker job on Zippia to find and attract quality construction worker candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
    • Post a job on free websites.

  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with construction worker candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 worker

    Once you have selected a candidate for the construction worker position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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 construction worker first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a construction worker?

Hiring a construction worker comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting construction workers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of construction worker recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $31,842 per year for a construction worker, 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 workers in the US typically range between $11 and $20 an hour.

Find better construction workers in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring construction workers FAQs

Search for construction worker jobs

Ready to start hiring?
Updated January 10, 2026

Browse construction and extraction jobs