Career Trends: Construction Laborers and Helpers

Construction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.

Most construction laborers and helpers work full time and do physically demanding work. Some work at great heights or outdoors in all weather conditions. Construction laborers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.

Construction laborers and helpers learn their trade through on-the-job training. Formal education is not typically required.

Employment of construction laborers and helpers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Laborers and helpers work in all fields of construction, and demand for these workers will mirror the level of overall construction activity.

This occupation supported 1,284,600 jobs in 2012 and 1,386,400 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 7.9%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 25.3% in 2022 to 1,609,699 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 1,349,600, compared with an observed value of 1,386,400, 2.7% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 14.0% in 2024 to 1,566,500 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 1,674,700 jobs for 2024, 6.9% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.