Construction Pay Ladder: Laborer to Carpenter to Foreman to Construction Manager
Construction is one of the few industries where you can start with no degree and work up to six figures. The federal data shows each step on that path.
The pay ladder at a glance
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. | Typical entry education | Projected growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborer | 1,096,780 | $35,090 | $47,120 | $78,090 | No formal educational credential | +7.3% |
| Carpenter | 670,090 | $40,410 | $60,580 | $99,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| Construction supervisor | 812,210 | $53,280 | $79,920 | $128,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.0% |
| Construction manager | 380,360 | $69,690 | $114,990 | $189,440 | Bachelor's degree | +9.1% |
Wages are May 2025 estimates from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; growth and education from BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. The 10th and 90th percentiles show the range from entry-level or lower-paying employers to the most experienced or best-paid workers. For comparison, the median for all U.S. occupations was $50,980.
Laborer to carpenter
Construction laborers earn a median of $47,120, and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook says they learn on the job without a formal credential. Carpenters earn $60,580. BLS says carpenters typically need a high school diploma and learn on the job or through apprenticeships.
Into supervision
First-line supervisors of construction trades earn $79,920. Foremen are usually experienced tradespeople who can run crews, read plans and keep jobs on schedule.
Construction manager
Construction managers earn $114,990. BLS says they typically need a bachelor’s degree, but firms may hire as managers people with a high school diploma and many years of experience in a construction trade.
Where carpenters earn the most
State medians for carpenters vary widely. The five highest-paying states in the May 2025 survey:
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,280 | 4,810 |
| Illinois | $79,000 | 19,570 |
| California | $75,920 | 100,750 |
| Massachusetts | $75,200 | 18,540 |
| Washington | $74,190 | 26,960 |
Pay tips for construction workers
- Prevailing wage jobs. Public projects often pay set rates by craft; check the posted wage determination.
- Track your travel time. See the note below.
Published October 27, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original chart by JobPayRaise.com using BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
Comments (1)
Time spent traveling from job site to job site during the workday counts as hours worked under the FLSA, while normal home-to-work commuting doesn't. And if you're required to report to the shop to get instructions or pick up tools, the ride from the shop to the site counts as hours worked too. If your foreman only starts the clock at the first site, read 29 CFR 785.38 and WHD Fact Sheet #22.