Construction and extraction occupations: pay, outlook, and education
Official pay, projected growth, openings, and entry requirements for 831 U.S. occupations. Filter, sort, and open any career for state and metro pay, skills, programs, and licenses.
60 occupations. Wages Verified data Growth and openings Official projection
| Occupation | Median wage | Change 2025 to 2035 | Openings per year | Employment | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helpers--extraction workers SOC 47-5081 | $47,730 | +1.7% | 700 | 7,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters SOC 47-3011 | $47,550 | -11.7% | 1,100 | 14,100 | No formal educational credential |
| Construction laborers SOC 47-2061 | $47,120 | +7.3% | 120,000 | 1,489,300 | No formal educational credential |
| Roustabouts, oil and gas SOC 47-5071 | $46,960 | +3.6% | 4,100 | 45,500 | No formal educational credential |
| Helpers--roofers SOC 47-3016 | $44,160 | -0.1% | 600 | 6,100 | No formal educational credential |
| Helpers--carpenters SOC 47-3012 | $43,780 | -1.7% | 2,000 | 21,900 | No formal educational credential |
| Helpers--electricians SOC 47-3013 | $42,670 | +0.6% | 6,100 | 65,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Helpers, construction trades, all other SOC 47-3019 | $42,670 | -1.0% | 2,300 | 25,200 | No formal educational credential |
| Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters SOC 47-3015 | $42,360 | +2.4% | 4,400 | 45,300 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons SOC 47-3014 | $40,470 | +1.5% | 700 | 7,600 | No formal educational credential |
Employment is from BLS Employment Projections (2025) when OEWS does not publish it. Median wage is the OEWS May 2025 national median annual wage; hourly medians are shown where BLS publishes hourly wages only.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.