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Construction Laborers salary in Washington, DC

Construction Laborers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area earn a median of $47,430 a year, an average of $49,670. About 17,710 people work in this occupation there. Figures are from the May 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS).

Construction Laborers pay at a glance

Annual median wage
$47,430
Half earn more, half earn less
Annual mean wage
$49,670
Pulled up by top earners
10th percentile
$37,030
Bottom of the range
90th percentile
$62,800
Top of the range
People employed
17,710
In Washington metro area
Rent share of median wage
48.1%
Median rent ÷ median wage

What this wage buys in Washington

Rent from the ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, compared with the wage above

Median gross rent
$1,900
per month, in Washington, DC
Income needed for median rent
$76,000
Keeps rent at 30% of gross pay
Median construction laborers wage
$47,430
37.6% below income needed for median rent
Rent as share of this wage
48.1%
12 months rent ÷ median wage
City median household income
$106,287
All households, not one occupation

Occupations are not paid the same everywhere, and this page does not explain why. It reports what the survey measured for the Washington area. Read the Washington, DC cost of living page for rent, income and the price level, or the methodology for how the numbers are compiled.

Construction Laborers pay in other cities

Median annual wage, same occupation, same survey

El Paso, TX
-24.8%
Median $35,670
Mean $37,160
Employed 2,140
Boston, MA
+33.7%
Median $63,420
Mean $71,350
Employed 11,580
Nashville-Davidson, TN
-2.6%
Median $46,190
Mean $46,700
Employed 9,170
Oklahoma City, OK
-16.9%
Median $39,430
Mean $43,420
Employed 5,570
Las Vegas, NV
+1.7%
Median $48,230
Mean $53,090
Employed 8,280
Portland, OR
+14.4%
Median $54,240
Mean $58,080
Employed 7,950
Detroit, MI
+21.1%
Median $57,430
Mean $55,960
Employed 11,610
Denver, CO
+2.8%
Median $48,760
Mean $50,940
Employed 9,650

See construction laborers pay in every covered city.

Take-home pay calculator

Estimate your net pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes. Adjust filing status and allowances for your situation.

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Gross annual income $47,430 / year
$47,430
Federal income tax 2024 brackets, Single filing
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State income tax District of Columbia (DC)
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FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.65% up to wage base
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Pre-tax deductions 401(k), HSA, etc.
$0
Take-home pay (annual) After all taxes
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Take-home per paycheck Monthly
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Effective tax rate Total tax ÷ gross income
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Estimates use 2024 federal tax brackets, FICA rates (6.2% SS up to $168,600, 1.45% Medicare + 0.9% >$200k), and state rates from Tax Foundation. Does not include local taxes, AMT, or tax credits. Consult a tax professional for actual liability.

Definitions used on this page

Annual median wage
The wage that half of the people in this occupation earn more than and half earn less than, for one year of work.
Annual mean wage
The average of all reported wages. It is higher than the median when a few very high earners pull it up.
Percentiles
The 10th percentile is the wage below which 10% of workers fall; the 90th is the wage above which only 10% rise. The gap between them shows how wide the pay range is.
Employment
The estimated number of jobs in this occupation in the metropolitan area, not the number of residents who hold it.

Sources and limits

Wages describe the metropolitan area, while rent and income describe the city boundaries. The two areas do not cover exactly the same ground. Wages are also averaged across a year and across every industry, so a specific employer can differ widely from the median shown here.