Construction Laborer salary in North Carolina
Construction Laborers in North Carolina earn a median of $44,720 a year ($21.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 35,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,970 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $47,120. North Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for construction laborers pay. There are 7.2 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| 25th percentile | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Median | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| 75th percentile | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Average (mean) | $45,250 | $21.76 |
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 | $3,726.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,863.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,720 |
| Weekly | $860 |
| Hourly | $21.50 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | $47,520 | 1,340 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,560 | 1,120 |
| Wilmington, NC | $46,090 | 1,870 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $45,900 | 240 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $45,850 | 10,840 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $45,650 | 6,360 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $44,550 | 800 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $43,740 | 600 |
| Greenville, NC | $42,420 | 450 |
| Burlington, NC | $42,320 | 400 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $42,210 | 2,000 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $40,100 | 2,190 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $39,830 | 390 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $39,330 | 490 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $38,490 | 5,660 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $38,100 | 340 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Carpenter | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Pipelayer | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| Roofer | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,080 | $21.67 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for construction laborers in North Carolina is $44,720 a year, or $21.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of construction laborers in North Carolina earn at least $59,970 a year. The top 25% earn $49,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,850 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $37,380 or less.
How many construction laborers work in North Carolina?
About 35,620 construction laborers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.