General Construction Workers

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Wages vary by employer and the worker's job duties. Workers who belong to a union generally receive higher wages than those who are not union members. Because construction work in many locations stops in the winter, workers may go without pay for a few months.

Benefits also vary by employer. Full-time general construction workers may receive typical benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Those who are self-employed must provide their own insurance.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

Construction Laborers

Employment

In Minnesota, about 12,869 general construction workers work in this medium-sized occupation.

About 24 percent of general construction workers are self-employed.

Major employers:

Office and industrial building construction companies
Home building construction companies
Concrete and brick work companies
Highway and street construction companies

Outlook

Construction levels are expected to grow. General construction workers will be needed to help on a wide variety of projects. Repairing and replacing the nation's roads, bridges, and water lines, should result in steady demand for workers. Demand for workers will also be driven by the construction of schools, office buildings, factories, and powerplants.

General construction workers sometimes have periods of unemployment. This is due to the short-term nature of many jobs and the cyclical nature of the industry. During economic slowdowns, the number of job openings for these workers declines.

Employment Outlook for Construction Laborers
	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	998,800	1,211,200	212,400	21.3%
Minnesota	10,425	12,390	1,965	18.8%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	1,168	1,435	267	22.9%
Northeast Minnesota	692	825	133	19.2%
Northwest Minnesota	1,457	1,799	342	23.5%
Southeast Minnesota	828	948	120	14.5%
Southwest Minnesota	982	1,142	160	16.3%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	5,294	6,212	918	17.3%