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.
- 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 — 1 related civil-service posting is open with City agencies right now, including 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.