Construction Laborer salary in District of Columbia
Construction Laborers in District of Columbia earn a median of $50,020 a year ($24.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,320 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $47,120. District of Columbia ranks 17th of 51 states for construction laborers pay. There are 3.0 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $52,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| 25th percentile | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| Median | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| 75th percentile | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,320 | $34.77 |
| Average (mean) | $52,220 | $25.11 |
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 | $4,168.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,084.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,923.85 |
| Weekly | $961.92 |
| Hourly | $24.05 |
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 District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $47,430 | 17,710 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Carpenter | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,520 | $28.61 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $64,450 | $30.98 |
| Glazier | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Pipelayer | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Roofer | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $91,280 | $43.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $86,520 | $41.60 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $86,200 | $41.44 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for construction laborers in District of Columbia is $50,020 a year, or $24.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of construction laborers in District of Columbia earn at least $72,320 a year. The top 25% earn $59,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,190 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $43,260 or less.
How many construction laborers work in District of Columbia?
About 2,090 construction laborers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.