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Construction Laborers

Overview

Construction laborers are the backbone of building projects, handling the physical work that makes construction possible. You'll prepare job sites by clearing debris and hazards, move heavy materials like steel and concrete, and help build temporary structures like scaffolding. Using modern equipment and power tools, you'll dig trenches, operate machinery, and work closely with skilled craftworkers to bring architectural plans to life in a collaborative team environment.
Construction Laborers

Did you know?

Construction work involves significant physical risks and requires strict adherence to OSHA safety regulations, as it consistently ranks among the most dangerous occupations in America.

At a Glance

Median Wage

$48,019.80 Avg/yr

Growth

Fast Growing

Top Skill

Operations Monitoring

Key Responsibilities

  • Mix, pour, or spread concrete, using portable cement mixers.
  • Erect or dismantle scaffolding, shoring, braces, traffic barricades, ramps, or other temporary structures.
  • Perform site activities required of green certified construction practices, such as implementing waste management procedures, identifying materials for reuse, or installing erosion or sedimentation control mechanisms.
  • Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones.
  • Operate jackhammers or drills to break up concrete or pavement.
  • Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.
  • Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
  • Operate or maintain air monitoring or other sampling devices in confined or hazardous environments.
  • Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
  • Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
  • Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards.
  • Smooth or finish freshly poured cement or concrete, using floats, trowels, screeds, or powered cement finishing tools.
  • Apply caulking compounds by hand or caulking guns to protect against entry of water or air.
  • Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications.
  • Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
  • Raze buildings or salvage useful materials.
  • Position, join, align, or seal structural components, such as concrete wall sections or pipes.
  • Mop, brush, or spread paints, cleaning solutions, or other compounds over surfaces to clean them or to provide protection.
  • Grind, scrape, sand, or polish surfaces, such as concrete, marble, terrazzo, or wood flooring, using abrasive tools or machines.
  • Mix ingredients to create compounds for covering or cleaning surfaces.
  • Tend machines that pump concrete, grout, cement, sand, plaster, or stucco through spray guns for application to ceilings or walls.
  • Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
  • Install sewer, water, or storm drain pipes, using pipe-laying machinery or laser guidance equipment.
  • Provide assistance to craft workers, such as carpenters, plasterers, or masons.
  • Position or dismantle forms for pouring concrete, using saws, hammers, nails, or bolts.
  • Spray materials, such as water, sand, steam, vinyl, paint, or stucco, through hoses to clean, coat, or seal surfaces.
  • Place, consolidate, or protect case-in-place concrete or masonry structures.

Career Considerations

Safety and Physical Demands

Construction work involves significant physical risks and requires strict adherence to OSHA safety regulations, as it consistently ranks among the most dangerous occupations in America.

Economic Volatility

Employment in construction is heavily tied to economic cycles, with job availability fluctuating significantly during recessions and housing market downturns.

Skills Development and Advancement

Workers can advance their careers by specializing in trades like electrical, plumbing, or carpentry, often leading to higher wages and more stable employment opportunities.

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