Construction Laborer salary in California
Construction Laborers in California earn a median of $60,270 a year ($28.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 88,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,620 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $47,120. California ranks 5th of 51 states for construction laborers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 4.8 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $64,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,950 | $19.69 |
| 25th percentile | $48,140 | $23.15 |
| Median | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| 75th percentile | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Average (mean) | $64,870 | $31.19 |
Half of construction laborers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,022.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,511.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,318.08 |
| Weekly | $1,159.04 |
| Hourly | $28.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Construction Laborer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $72,610 | 11,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $68,470 | 4,420 |
| Vallejo, CA | $62,500 | 1,080 |
| Salinas, CA | $61,680 | 950 |
| Modesto, CA | $60,630 | 1,070 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,560 | 7,390 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $60,270 | 1,550 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $60,140 | 1,030 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $59,870 | 100 |
| Napa, CA | $59,800 | 540 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $59,500 | 12,120 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $58,950 | 1,790 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $58,810 | 21,730 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $58,500 | 520 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $57,450 | 1,470 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $57,180 | 8,850 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $56,140 | 1,150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $55,800 | 1,480 |
| Redding, CA | $55,790 | 500 |
| Fresno, CA | $55,120 | 2,660 |
| Chico, CA | $54,720 | 480 |
| Merced, CA | $54,440 | 380 |
| El Centro, CA | $53,560 | 270 |
| Yuba City, CA | $48,210 | 290 |
| Visalia, CA | $47,700 | 740 |
Highest-paying states for construction laborers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,110 |
| New Jersey | $64,060 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 |
| Illinois | $60,690 |
| California | $60,270 |
| Minnesota | $60,260 |
| Connecticut | $58,290 |
| Alaska | $58,060 |
| Washington | $57,720 |
| Rhode Island | $57,240 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $59,940 | $28.82 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make in California?
The median salary for construction laborers in California is $60,270 a year, or $28.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in California?
The top 10% of construction laborers in California earn at least $93,620 a year. The top 25% earn $78,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,950 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $48,140 or less.
How many construction laborers work in California?
About 88,240 construction laborers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.