SOC 47-2061 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Construction Laborers — North Carolina
North Carolina · 10 metro areas compared
At $44,720, median pay for Construction Laborers in North Carolina tracks the national median of $47,120 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $44,720, median pay for Construction Laborers in North Carolina tracks the national median of $47,120 closely. Pay ranges from under $31,850 at the tenth percentile to more than $59,970 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,380 to $49,070.
The area has 35,620 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.02 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. North Carolina ranks number 39th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Asheville records the highest median at $47,520. Of the 745 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 547th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,850 | −32.4% |
| 25th | $37,380 | −20.7% |
| Median (50th) | $44,720 | −5.1% |
| 75th | $49,070 | +4.1% |
| 90th | $59,970 | +27.3% |
| Mean | $45,250 | −4.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asheville | $47,520 | 1,340 | |
| 2 | Durham | $46,560 | 1,120 | |
| 3 | Wilmington | $46,090 | 1,870 | |
| 4 | Pinehurst | $45,900 | 240 | |
| 5 | Charlotte | $45,850 | 10,840 | |
| 6 | Raleigh | $45,650 | 6,360 | |
| 7 | Hickory | $44,550 | 800 | |
| 8 | Fayetteville | $43,740 | 600 | |
| 9 | Greenville | $42,420 | 450 | |
| 10 | Burlington | $42,320 | 400 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $44,720 goes as far as $47,423 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,720as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$47,423US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,720 a year, 5.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,850 to $59,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 35,620 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 39th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Asheville, at $47,520.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Construction Laborers in North Carolina?
The median annual wage is $44,720, or $21.50 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $47,120, so pay in North Carolina is 5.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Carolina earns more than $59,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,850 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Asheville, at $47,520 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 35,620 jobs in this occupation in North Carolina. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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