Construction Laborers assist skilled workers in their jobs. They unload materials, machinery, and equipment; lift and carry materials and tools; mix or prepare materials; and prepare and clean the work site. They often transfer from one task to another where demands may require a Laborer with varied experience.

JOB DUTIES 

Construction Laborers may:

Haul and hoist materials

Clean the construction site to eliminate possible hazards

Dig ditches and excavations for foundations

Drive stakes

Help to raze buildings and salvage useful materials

Set up and take apart scaffolds

Clean tools and equipment

Load and unload trucks

Lay sewer and water pipes

Mix, pour, and spread concrete, asphalt, or gravel

Grind, sand, and polish surfaces

Click here to view Construction Laborers at work.

The tools, equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Construction Laborers may specialize in these areas:

869.684-022 FENCE ERECTORS erect and repair metal and wooden fences around industrial buildings, houses, or farms, using power tools or hand tools.

869.664-014 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS assist skilled workers in their jobs. They often transfer from one task to another.

869.687-026 HOD CARRIERS (also called masons' helpers) work as bricklayers' or plasterers' helpers. They supply materials, set up and take down scaffolding, and do other necessary tasks.

869.687-026 CONCRETE PAVING LABORERS carry and position steel reinforcing bars and/or roll wire reinforcing mesh over sub grades to prepare them for poured concrete. They may also set up and dismantle road, curb, and gutter forms; spread concrete in front of finishing machines; and perform other tasks.

869.687-026 BITUMINOUS PAVING LABORERS perform various duties concerned with laying bituminous paving. These duties include sweeping loose dirt and gravel from the pavement base, sprinkling hot tar over pavement areas to act as a bond when the new asphalt surface is laid, and tamping freshly laid asphalt in areas where the road roller is unable to reach.

869.687-026 REINFORCING-IRON-WORKER HELPER

Other titles by which Construction Laborers may be known include brick cleaner, crushed-stone grader, form-setter helper, joint filler, road laborer, oil sprayer, pipe-layer helper, wall washer, and well digger.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Construction Laborers work under the direction of a supervisor or a skilled worker. They work outside most of the time and are exposed to cold, heat, and severe weather. Some work may be hazardous. Construction Laborers may climb ladders or work on scaffolds; handle sharp tools; work near machinery; or work in noisy, dirty, or bad-smelling areas. Lifting heavy objects may cause muscle strain or back injuries.

Some work may be done only during the summer months when weather conditions are favorable. Some Laborers may work on a day-to-day basis. Most work a 5-day, 40-hour week and may work overtime in order to complete a project by a deadline.

Because of the nature of their work, Construction Workers are required to wear protective clothing such as safety shoes, hard hats, and protective glasses. These may be provided by the employer. Workers may have to furnish their transportation to and from work sites.

Many belong to unions, although membership has dropped sharply in recent years. Less than one-fourth of the Workers in contract construction currently are unionized. The particular union depends on the place of employment and the type of work performed. Workers belong to a union must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Doing routine work

• Working with your hands, using tools and machines

• Working outdoors

You Should Be Able To:

• Follow specific directions

• Perform a variety of duties which may often change

• Work within standards of accuracy

• Repeat tasks of short duration according to a set procedure

• Evaluate information using measurable standards

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Determine the U-factor of a wall having the following components: stucco, 1 inch polystyrene insulation, 8 inch concrete block, 1 inch polystyrene insulation, and 1/2 inch drywall.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Must be able to read and understand various construction procedures. For example, sufficient pressure must be applied to the blocks to assure tight joints and good contact with the wall. Both cellular glass and foamed plastic may be applied with synthetic adhesives.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an order form for tools and supplies necessary to complete a job.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be detail oriented and demonstrate organizational skills to ensure safety and successful completion of construction jobs.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS, 3 200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY , 3400 WOODS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

032 CONSTRUCTION/BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Approved vocational education programs in the Construction/Building Maintenance prepare students to erect, maintain, and repair buildings, highways, airports, and other structures using materials such as metal wood, stone, brick, glass concrete, and composition substances. Instruction is given in cost estimating, the use of hand and power tools, and in following technical specifications and blueprints. Instruction may be given in classroom, shop, or laboratory settings or at the actual location of construction projects.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

CONSTRUCTION - (ON SITE)

CONSTRUCTION - (IN SCHOOL)

FLOOR COVERING

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

Students should obtain the local Education & Training Opportunities for information on what happens to students who successfully complete a program. This information is available at each high school or career/technical center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check Military website at http://www.myfuture.com .

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS

Each year the military completes hundreds of construction projects. Tons of earth and building materials must be moved to build airfields, roads, dams, and buildings. Construction equipment operators operate bulldozers, cranes, graders, and other heavy equipment used in military construction.

What They Do

Construction equipment operators in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Drive bulldozers, road graders, and other heavy equipment to cut and level earth for runways and roadbeds

• Lift and move steel and other heavy building materials using winches, cranes, and hoists

• Dig holes and trenches using power shovels

• Remove ice and snow from runways, roads, and other areas using scrapers and snow blowers

• Operate mixing plants to make concrete and asphalt

• Spread asphalt and concrete with paving machines

• Drill wells using drilling rigs

• Place and detonate explosives

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include shop mechanics. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in operating heavy construction equipment

• Preference for working outdoors

Training Provided

Job training consists of 4 to 12 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice operating construction equipment. Course content typically includes:

• Operation of different types of construction equipment

• Maintenance and repair of equipment

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. The Army and the Navy offer certified apprenticeship programs for one specialty in this occupation.

Physical Demands

Some specialties require normal hearing, color vision, and heavy lifting.

Work Environment

Construction equipment operators work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions. They often sit for long periods and are subject to loud noise and vibrations. They may work indoors while repairing equipment.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian construction equipment operators work for building contractors, states' highway agencies, and other large-scale construction firms. Civilian construction equipment operators may also be known as operating engineers, heavy equipment operators, well drillers, or riggers.

Opportunities

The services need new construction equipment operators each year due to changes in personnel and field demands. With time, they have the opportunity to become construction supervisors or construction superintendents.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Some of the ways to gain experiences are summer and part-time work with small construction companies. Secondary vocational education programs in construction and building maintenance may offer a cooperation through which experience may be gained. Experience may also be gained in military service.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

Informal apprenticeships

Mentorships

Job shadowing experiences

Touring a local Construction Laborer employer

Internships

Volunteer work with a Construction Laborer employer

Community service work with an agency

The best way to obtain a job as a Construction Laborer is direct application to employers. Assistance in finding a job may be available by reading newspaper want ads and contacting local unions or local Michigan Works! Office. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

 You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Wages for Construction Laborers vary widely, depending on the employer, location, type of work performed, and union affiliation. Non-union Construction Laborers may start at or near the minimum wage ($7.40 per hour in mid 2009).

Nationally, median weekly earnings for all Construction Laborers were $564 or $14.10 per hour in 2008. The median weekly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $722 in 2008.

Base hourly wage rates for Building Laborers in residential construction averaged $19.50 in early 2009. Building Laborers in Commercial and Industrial Construction averaged $28.94.

Basic hourly wage rates, including fringe benefits, for unionized general Construction Laborers in various Michigan areas were (early 2009):

Non-unionized Construction Laborers usually earn less than unionized laborers, depending on the employer. Construction aides working for the State of Michigan earned between $13.05 and $18.33 per hour, depending on their experience early 2009.

Trades helpers earned between $15.16 and $19.47 per hour. Construction Laborers may receive 1 1/2 or 2 times their basic hourly rate for overtime, depending on the employer or the provisions of the union contract.

The 2007 graduates of high school vocational education programs in Michigan who entered jobs related to this occupation earned a beginning average of $9.86 per hour in 2008.

Most Construction Laborers receive vacation pay; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; and retirement plans. In some cases, employers and employees may jointly contribute to union funds used to pay certain benefits. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers.

With additional training, experience, and leadership, Construction Laborers may advance to supervisory positions. Laborers may also become a skilled trade worker after several years of experience and training, or by completing an apprenticeship program.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

In 2006, there were about 1,232,000 Construction Laborers employed nationally.  Employment of Construction Laborers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. Nearly all construction laborers worked in the construction industry. A small number worked in the manufacturing sector. About 15.3% of

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New construction will provide employment opportunities. Repair and remodeling work will continue to increase. The vast majority of openings will occur because of the need to replace workers who change jobs or occupations. Laborers will be needed to move materials, mix and pour concrete, and help craft workers, particularly in home building rather than commercial construction. However, the use of labor-saving machines and material-handling equipment may somewhat limit the number of growth openings.

There are approximately 19,475 Construction Laborers employed in Michigan. In the construction industry, most laborers work for heavy construction contractors. The remainder work for general building contractors and specific trade contractors. Most of the laborers employed outside of construction work for local, state, or Federal governments. A few Laborers employed in the manufacturing and public utility industries are maintenance Construction Laborers.

The employment of Construction Laborers in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 340 annual job openings for Construction Laborers are expected, with 80 due to growth and 260 to replace workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force. Many more openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

As the population grows, there will be a need for new homes and Construction Laborers to help build them. However, because construction work is sensitive to the economy, the demand for Laborers will decrease during poor economic times. During prosperous times, a much larger demand for Construction Laborers will exist as high-rise buildings, shopping centers, highways, bridges, and other large projects are started.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2014

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth