# Construction Laborers

> Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 47-2061.00
- **Summary:** Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.

## Aliases

- Construction Laborer
- Construction Worker
- Equipment Operator (EO)
- Post Framer
- Bituminous Asphalt Technician
- Drop Crew Laborer
- Form Setter
- Scaffolding Operator
- Site Work Laborer
- Toolman
- Air Breaker Operator
- Air Drill Operator

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials. | Core | 4.A.4.b.1.b |
| Position, join, align, or seal structural components, such as concrete wall sections or pipes. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Perform site activities required of green certified construction practices, such as implementing waste management procedures, identifying materials for reuse, or installing erosion or sedimentation control mechanisms. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.a |
| Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.r |
| Install sewer, water, or storm drain pipes, using pipe-laying machinery or laser guidance equipment. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.aq |
| Operate or maintain air monitoring or other sampling devices in confined or hazardous environments. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.b.2.k |
| Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Smooth or finish freshly poured cement or concrete, using floats, trowels, screeds, or powered cement finishing tools. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.d |
| Erect or dismantle scaffolding, shoring, braces, traffic barricades, ramps, or other temporary structures. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.a |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Clean work sites. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Direct vehicle traffic. | 4.A.3.a.2.r |
| Signal equipment operators to indicate proper equipment positioning. | 4.A.4.b.1.b |
| Dig holes or trenches. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Compact materials to create level bases. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Position structural components. | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Install plumbing or piping. | 4.A.3.a.2.aq |
| Measure work site dimensions. | 4.A.1.b.3.d |
| Mark reference points on construction materials. | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Move construction or extraction materials to locations where they are needed. | 4.A.3.a.1.j |
| Assemble temporary equipment or structures. | 4.A.3.a.2.a |
| Dismantle equipment or temporary structures. | 4.A.3.a.2.s |
| Position construction forms or molds. | 4.A.3.a.2.v |
| Clean equipment or facilities. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Maintain construction tools or equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Break up rock, asphalt, or concrete. | 4.A.3.a.3.c |
| Finish concrete surfaces. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Test air quality at work sites. | 4.A.1.b.2.k |
| Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Operate pumps or compressors. | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| Clean surfaces in preparation for work activities. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Apply paint to surfaces. | 4.A.3.a.2.ag |
| Protect structures or surfaces near work areas to avoid damage. | 4.A.3.a.1.d |
| Install masonry materials. | 4.A.3.a.2.a |
| Mix substances or compounds needed for work activities. | 4.A.3.a.1.a |
| Pour materials into or on designated areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Spread concrete or other aggregate mixtures. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools. | 4.A.3.a.2.o |
| Remove worn, damaged or outdated materials from work areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.e |
| Apply sealants or other protective coatings. | 4.A.3.a.2.ag |
| Install green structural components, equipment or systems. | 4.A.3.a.2.a |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Building and Construction | knowledge | 3.98 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.88 |
| Static Strength | ability | 3.75 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.62 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.5 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.25 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.25 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.25 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.25 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3.25 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.25 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.17 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.12 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.12 |
| Dynamic Strength | ability | 3.12 |
| Stamina | ability | 3.12 |
| Extent Flexibility | ability | 3.12 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.12 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.03 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3 |
| Depth Perception | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 2.88 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 2.88 |
| Visualization | ability | 2.88 |
| Response Orientation | ability | 2.88 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 2.88 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 2.79 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 2.75 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 2.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 2.75 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Windows | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Autodesk Revit | Specialized Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Project Management Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Autodesk Revit | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Windows | Operating system software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management | Project management software | yes | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.94 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.8 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.65 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 4.63 |
| Contact With Others | 4.55 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 4.48 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 4.34 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.31 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.19 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.18 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.16 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.12 |
| Time Pressure | 4.11 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.87 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.8 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.74 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 3.71 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.66 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.59 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 3.59 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.35 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.28 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 3.27 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 3.22 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.19 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 3.18 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.12 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.12 |
| In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment | 3.02 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 3.02 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.95 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.94 |
| Exposed to Whole Body Vibration | 2.91 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.9 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 2.9 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.71 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.65 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.62 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 2.6 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 2.48 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 34.9 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 32.53 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 4.59 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 7 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 6.84 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 3.82 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 3.61 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 3.27 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.68 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 2.4 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 2.32 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.19 |
| Perseverance | work_style | 1.74 |
| Nature/Outdoors | specific_interest_area | 1.57 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.5 |
| Stress Tolerance | work_style | 1.46 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 1.38 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.35 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 1.25 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 47-2071.00 | role-47-2071-00 | Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | Primary-Short |
| 47-5022.00 | role-47-5022-00 | Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | Primary-Short |
| 47-2051.00 | role-47-2051-00 | Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | Primary-Short |
| 47-2151.00 | role-47-2151-00 | Pipelayers | Primary-Short |
| 47-2221.00 | role-47-2221-00 | Structural Iron and Steel Workers | Primary-Short |
| 47-2021.00 | role-47-2021-00 | Brickmasons and Blockmasons | Primary-Long |
| 47-2073.00 | role-47-2073-00 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | Primary-Long |
| 47-3011.00 | role-47-3011-00 | Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters | Primary-Long |
| 47-2031.00 | role-47-2031-00 | Carpenters | Primary-Long |
| 49-9043.00 | role-49-9043-00 | Maintenance Workers, Machinery | Primary-Long |
| 51-7042.00 | role-51-7042-00 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | Supplemental |
| 47-2152.00 | role-47-2152-00 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Construction | construction |

## Education Level

- **Category:** No formal educational credential

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 46730
- **Mean Wage:** 51260
- **Pct10Wage:** 34200
- **Pct25Wage:** 38100
- **Pct75Wage:** 58910
- **Pct90Wage:** 77530
- **Employment:** 1057660
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 892690 | 47070 | 16.02 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 66880 | 38740 | 1.08 |
| 238110 | 238110 | Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors | National industry | 53670 | 48000 | 30.24 |
| 237130 | 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | National industry | 37040 | 46140 | 23.06 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 34400 | 33560 | 1.89 |
| 238140 | 238140 | Masonry Contractors | National industry | 23760 | 46650 | 24.12 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 21860 | 46740 | 2.52 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 17430 | 44440 | 0.2 |
| 238210 | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | National industry | 17250 | 46820 | 2.35 |
| 238310 | 238310 | Drywall and Insulation Contractors | National industry | 11940 | 45610 | 7.08 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 11010 | 43640 | 2.8 |
| 561730 | 561730 | Landscaping Services | National industry | 10440 | 44460 | 1.66 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 238110 | 238110 | Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors | National industry | 53670 | 30.24 |
| 238140 | 238140 | Masonry Contractors | National industry | 23760 | 24.12 |
| 237130 | 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | National industry | 37040 | 23.06 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 892690 | 16.02 |
| 238290 | 238290 | Other Building Equipment Contractors | National industry | 9110 | 8.65 |
| 238310 | 238310 | Drywall and Insulation Contractors | National industry | 11940 | 7.08 |
| 238160 | 238160 | Roofing Contractors | National industry | 8970 | 5.26 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 11010 | 2.8 |
- **Count:** 38

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.88 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.622988 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -1.730415 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.404981 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 8
- **Percentile:** 4
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 4 | felten_aioe |
| 14 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 5 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.622988 | 4 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.1 | 14 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.030072808760993032 | 5 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.88
- **Percentile:** 75
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.05
- **Gamma:** 0.1

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 7.3
- **Growth Percentile:** 86
- **Direction:** Growing fast
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 129.4
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 97
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 1457
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 1563.4

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 27
- **Skills:** 37
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 7
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** ee22a9a1c94c7709