Construction Laborer salary in Knoxville, TN
Construction Laborers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $46,130 a year ($22.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,630 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $47,120. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $45,000. There are 8.6 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,640 | $17.14 |
| 25th percentile | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| Median | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| 75th percentile | $53,810 | $25.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,630 | $32.03 |
| Average (mean) | $48,210 | $23.18 |
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 | $3,844.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,922.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,774.23 |
| Weekly | $887.12 |
| Hourly | $22.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Construction Laborer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $46,190 | 9,170 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,370 | 1,430 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $44,810 | 3,940 |
| Jackson, TN | $44,610 | 580 |
| Cleveland, TN | $44,190 | 310 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $43,260 | 1,800 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $41,950 | 620 |
| Johnson City, TN | $41,150 | 580 |
| Morristown, TN | $38,400 | 520 |
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 |
See Construction Laborer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Carpenter | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,690 | $23.41 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Roofer | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $40,420 | $19.44 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Glazier | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $64,090 | $30.81 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for construction laborers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $46,130 a year, or $22.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of construction laborers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $66,630 a year. The top 25% earn $53,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,640 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $37,780 or less.
How many construction laborers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 3,640 construction laborers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.