Construction Laborers vs. Electricians: Who Earns More?
Electricians out-earn Construction Laborers by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Construction Laborers land at $47,120 and Electricians at $63,190. The education gap is real: construction laborer programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while electrician programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Construction Laborers is Hawaii ($77,110); for Electricians it's Oregon ($101,310).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Construction Laborers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Construction Laborers or Electricians?
Electricians earn more nationally. The median is $47,120 for Construction Laborers versus $63,190 for Electricians, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Construction Laborers or Electricians?
Electricians has the better 10-year outlook at 9.5% projected growth, compared to 7.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Construction Laborers or Electricians?
Construction Laborers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Electricians requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Construction Laborers get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Construction Laborers at $77,110/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Construction Laborers vs. Electricians pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Construction Laborers earn $77,110 vs. $96,460 for Electricians. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.