Construction Laborer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Construction Laborers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $47,430 a year ($22.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,800 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $47,120. Pay here is 5% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $50,020. There are 5.6 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $49,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| 25th percentile | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Median | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| 75th percentile | $56,260 | $27.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Average (mean) | $49,670 | $23.88 |
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 | $3,952.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,976.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,824.23 |
| Weekly | $912.12 |
| Hourly | $22.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Construction Laborer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $55,120 | 14,580 |
| Charleston, WV | $47,770 | 660 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $46,460 | 10,520 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $45,800 | 450 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $45,500 | 450 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,370 | 1,430 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $45,170 | 1,580 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $45,080 | 570 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $44,840 | 300 |
| Morgantown, WV | $44,340 | 660 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $43,520 | 480 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $42,830 | 560 |
| Richmond, VA | $42,410 | 4,560 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $42,160 | 350 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $41,670 | n/a |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $41,650 | 340 |
| Salisbury, MD | $38,800 | 240 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $38,490 | 5,660 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $38,400 | 600 |
| Roanoke, VA | $38,150 | 1,210 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $38,040 | 300 |
| Beckley, WV | $36,310 | 320 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $75,930 | $36.50 |
| Carpenter | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $71,860 | $34.55 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $61,660 | $29.64 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,560 | $24.31 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,350 | $28.05 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| Roofer | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Glazier | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $68,320 | $32.85 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $58,800 | $28.27 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for construction laborers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $47,430 a year, or $22.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of construction laborers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $62,800 a year. The top 25% earn $56,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,030 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $41,740 or less.
How many construction laborers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 17,710 construction laborers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.