Construction Laborer salary in Pennsylvania
Construction Laborers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $49,400 a year ($23.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 35,920 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,670 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $47,120. Pennsylvania ranks 21st of 51 states for construction laborers pay. There are 5.9 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| 25th percentile | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Median | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| 75th percentile | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,670 | $35.90 |
| Average (mean) | $54,330 | $26.12 |
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 | $4,116.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,058.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,900 |
| Weekly | $950 |
| Hourly | $23.75 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $55,120 | 14,580 |
| State College, PA | $53,420 | 620 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $50,600 | 8,620 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $49,670 | 1,370 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $49,350 | 1,250 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $49,290 | 1,670 |
| Reading, PA | $48,800 | 990 |
| Lancaster, PA | $48,670 | 2,270 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $48,290 | 1,450 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $48,010 | 240 |
| Lebanon, PA | $47,530 | 240 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $46,860 | 440 |
| Erie, PA | $46,480 | 540 |
| Williamsport, PA | $46,360 | 250 |
| Altoona, PA | $45,820 | 350 |
| Johnstown, PA | $45,320 | 210 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Electrician | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Roofer | $55,710 | $26.79 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $82,970 | $39.89 |
| Glazier | $58,810 | $28.27 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $70,230 | $33.77 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for construction laborers in Pennsylvania is $49,400 a year, or $23.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of construction laborers in Pennsylvania earn at least $74,670 a year. The top 25% earn $61,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,480 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $45,110 or less.
How many construction laborers work in Pennsylvania?
About 35,920 construction laborers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.