Trades
Construction Laborers

Construction

Construction laborers build and repair structures, such as roads, buildings, and bridges
Construction
Why Should You Consider This Career?

Build amazing structures from the ground up, Learn a vital trade as old as time, Put your creative energy and attention to detail to use!

TYPICAL SALARY
$80k
That's $3,300 per bi-weekly paycheck
CAREER OUTLOOK
Growing
That's 2000 new jobs in Utah per year (30% growth)
Less Physical                                         More Physical
—————|————
Less Training                                          More Training
—————|————
More Structure                                     Less Structure
—————|————
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Bituminous Asphalt Technician, Construction Laborer, Construction Worker, Drop Crew Laborer, Equipment Operator (EO), Form Setter, Post Framer, Scaffolding Operator, Site Work Laborer, Toolman

Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.

At A Glance in US
2028 JOB GROWTH
Wage loader
398,000 (35%)
SALARY RANGE
This is some text inside of a div block.
AVG. JOBS / YEAR
398,000 (35%)
TIME TO JOURNEYMAN
398,000 (35%)
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Bituminous Asphalt Technician, Construction Laborer, Construction Worker, Drop Crew Laborer, Equipment Operator (EO), Form Setter, Post Framer, Scaffolding Operator, Site Work Laborer, Toolman
A Typical Day Icon

Your Typical Day:

  • Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
  • Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
  • Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
  • Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
  • Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
  • Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards.
  • Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.
  • Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications.
  • Position, join, align, or seal structural components, such as concrete wall sections or pipes.
  • 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.
wage icon

Wages in the US:

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$
33.6
Per Hour Base Income
$TBD
Total Compensation
Your Responsibilities Icon

Your Responsibilities

  • Operate pumps or compressors.
  • Clean equipment or facilities.
  • Maintain construction tools or equipment.
  • Signal equipment operators to indicate proper equipment positioning.
  • Install plumbing or piping.
  • Position structural components.
  • Install green structural components, equipment or systems.
  • Direct vehicle traffic.
  • Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
  • Finish concrete surfaces.
Your Knowledge Icon

Knowledge You Will Learn

  • Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. 75/100

  • Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. 54/100

  • Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. 51/100

  • Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 45/100

  • Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 34/100

  • Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 32/100

  • Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. 31/100

  • Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 30/100

  • Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. 27/100

  • English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 27/100

Tools of the Trade Icon

Tools of the Trade

  • Power saws
  • Manlift or personnel lift
  • Levels
  • Water trucks
  • Vacuum cleaners
  • Blow torch
  • Power grinders
  • Pressure or steam cleaners
  • Boring or sinking machinery
  • Plaster or mortar mixers
  • Forklifts
  • Power drills
  • Burners
  • Pneumatic drill
  • Concrete spreaders
  • Laser measuring systems
  • Drain or pipe cleaning equipment
  • Adjustable forks
  • Remote reading thermometers
  • Pipe or tube cutter
  • Snowplow attachments
  • Power screwguns
  • Demolition equipment kits
  • Bandsaw wheel
  • Trowels
  • Staple guns
  • Mowers
  • Sprayers
  • Concrete mixers or plants
  • Compactors
  • Bituminous material distributors
  • Stonemason hammer
  • Hydraulic rock drills
  • Measuring rods
  • Graders
  • Drilling machines
  • Pry bars
  • Pullers
  • Wire and cable pulling device
  • Track loaders
  • Hammer drills
  • Blades or tooth or other cutting edges
  • Welding masks
  • Squares
  • Rotary tiller mixers
  • Hand sprayers
  • Post hole digger
  • Gas detectors
  • Tongs
  • Plasma arc welding machine
  • Hand trucks or accessories
  • Pneumatic hammer
  • Vibratory plates
  • Gas generators
  • Explosive initiators
  • Shotcrete spraying equipment
  • Hydraulic truck cranes
  • Rollers
  • Punches or nail sets or drifts
  • Coring equipment
  • Asphalt finishers
  • Picks
  • Lifting hooks
  • Grinders
  • Paving breakers
  • Power chippers
  • Safety harnesses or belts
  • Threading taps
  • Shoring equipment
  • Digital camcorders or video cameras
  • Measuring wheels for distance
  • Power nail guns
  • Kettle exchangers
  • Hole saws
  • Instrument tripods
  • Tampers
  • Light trucks or sport utility vehicles
  • Pneumatic sanding machines
  • Scissor lift or lift table
  • Hoes
  • Air samplers or collectors
  • Trenching machines
  • Gin pole and accessories
  • Mud pumps
  • Power sanders
  • Wheel loaders
  • Level sensors or transmitters
  • Cement pumping units
  • Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machine
  • Hazardous material protective apparel
  • Sludge or sewage handling trucks
  • Leak testing equipment
  • Space heaters
  • Combination pliers
  • Two way radios
  • Impact hammers
  • Ladders
  • Dump trucks
  • Micrometers
  • Air compressors
  • Screwdrivers
  • Tape measures
  • Cold chisels
  • Slings
  • Calipers
  • Spades
  • Respirators
  • Floats
  • Scaffolding
  • Hoists
  • Hammers
  • Power buggies
  • Belt conveyors
  • Rakes
  • Impact wrenches
  • Shovels
  • Theodolites
  • Scarifiers
  • Plumb bobs
  • Axes
  • Chip Spreaders
  • Caulking guns
  • Water samplers
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Saws
  • Winches
  • Paint sprayers
  • Skid steer loaders
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