Construction Laborer salary in Reading, PA
Construction Laborers in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $48,800 a year ($23.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 990 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,300 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $47,120. Pay here is 1% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $49,400. There are 5.7 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $53,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| 25th percentile | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Median | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| 75th percentile | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,300 | $34.28 |
| Average (mean) | $53,040 | $25.50 |
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 | $4,066.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,033.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,876.92 |
| Weekly | $938.46 |
| Hourly | $23.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Construction Laborer pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| Carpenter | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Roofer | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $67,550 | $32.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $59,160 | $28.44 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $69,000 | $33.17 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $51,920 | $24.96 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for construction laborers in the Reading, PA metro area is $48,800 a year, or $23.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of construction laborers in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $71,300 a year. The top 25% earn $60,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,810 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $45,300 or less.
How many construction laborers work in Reading, PA?
About 990 construction laborers are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.