Construction Laborer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Construction Laborers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $38,490 a year ($18.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,360 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $47,120. Pay here is 12% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $43,560. There are 7.4 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| 25th percentile | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Median | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| 75th percentile | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Average (mean) | $40,870 | $19.65 |
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 | $3,207.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,603.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,480.38 |
| Weekly | $740.19 |
| Hourly | $18.51 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | $47,520 | 1,340 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $47,430 | 17,710 |
| 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 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,370 | 1,430 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $45,080 | 570 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $44,550 | 800 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $43,740 | 600 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $43,520 | 480 |
| Greenville, NC | $42,420 | 450 |
| Richmond, VA | $42,410 | 4,560 |
| Burlington, NC | $42,320 | 400 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $42,210 | 2,000 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $42,160 | 350 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $41,670 | n/a |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $40,100 | 2,190 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $39,830 | 390 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $39,330 | 490 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $38,400 | 600 |
| Roanoke, VA | $38,150 | 1,210 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $38,100 | 340 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $38,040 | 300 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Carpenter | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $58,630 | $28.19 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| Roofer | $46,480 | $22.34 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Pipelayer | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $43,730 | $21.03 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for construction laborers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $38,490 a year, or $18.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of construction laborers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $49,360 a year. The top 25% earn $45,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,580 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $35,950 or less.
How many construction laborers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 5,660 construction laborers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.