Construction Laborer
Perform physical work on construction sites — site preparation, material handling, demolition and cleanup.
Construction laborers in the New York metro area earned an average of $67,440 a year in 2025 (median $61,270), according to BLS — 22% below the $86,310 average for all occupations. On New York City public-work contracts, the Comptroller's schedule sets the Laborer – Heavy & Highway rate at $45.60 an hour plus $55.73 in benefit supplements for 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026 — a window that has since ended; the rate in force now comes from a later step or a newer Comptroller schedule, not shown here.
Two Different Pay Figures
The BLS average describes what construction laborers across the metro area earned. The prevailing wage is a legal floor for one kind of work — New York City public-work contracts — paid as an hourly wage plus a separate supplement for benefits. Neither is a quote for any particular job. Rates below are the first step recorded from the Comptroller's 2025–26 schedule; where that window has ended, the rate in force now is a later step or a newer schedule — check the Comptroller's site before relying on a figure.
| Classification | Wage | Supplements | Total /hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laborer – Heavy & HighwayLocal #731 · 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026 · window ended | $45.60 | $55.73 | $101.33 |
| Mason TenderLocal #79 · 7/1/2025 – 1/18/2026 · window ended | $41.80 | $34.14 | $75.94 |
Getting In
Laborers, hazmat/asbestos abatement · ~17,000 members
Council of Laborers locals (including Locals 66, 78, 79, 108) covering general construction laborers and environmental remediation work.
(212) 452-9467 · 520 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10018
Open City Postings
City of New York civil-service postings whose titles match this trade — related roles such as inspectors included.
- LaborerDept Of Citywide Admin Svcs · from $332
- City Laborer, Bureau of Facilities Planning and Administrative ServicesDept Of Health/mental Hygiene · from $332
Common Questions
- How much do construction laborers make in NYC?
- Construction laborers in the New York metro area earned an average of $67,440 a year in 2025 (median $61,270), according to BLS — 22% below the $86,310 average for all occupations. On New York City public-work contracts, the Comptroller's schedule sets the Laborer – Heavy & Highway rate at $45.60 an hour plus $55.73 in benefit supplements for 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026 — a window that has since ended; the rate in force now comes from a later step or a newer Comptroller schedule, not shown here.
- What is the prevailing wage for construction laborers on NYC public work?
- Laborer – Heavy & Highway (Local #731): $45.60 an hour plus $55.73 in supplements, a total of $101.33, for 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026 (that window has ended). Mason Tender (Local #79): $41.80 an hour plus $34.14 in supplements, a total of $75.94, for 7/1/2025 – 1/18/2026 (that window has ended). Source: NYC Comptroller's schedule published Jan 19, 2026; some rates step up later in the schedule period.
- Which union represents construction laborers in New York City?
- Mason Tenders' District Council of Greater New York (Laborers, hazmat/asbestos abatement; ~17,000 members). Unions generally train new members through registered apprenticeships — see the union's own site for how and when it takes applications.
- Are there City of New York jobs for construction laborers?
- Yes — 2 related civil-service postings are open with City agencies right now, including Laborer at Dept Of Citywide Admin Svcs and City Laborer, Bureau of Facilities Planning and Administrative Services at Dept Of Health/mental Hygiene.
Other Construction Careers
Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA Metro Area, 2025, SOC 47-2061 (bls.gov). Public-work rates: NYC Comptroller construction prevailing wage schedule, published Jan 19, 2026 (PDF). Union details: the union's own site, verified Aug 7, 2026. Open postings: NYC Jobs, live. Firms: NYC DOB Permit Issuance, by permits on file.