Electricians vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Electricians out-earn Construction Laborers by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Electricians land at $63,190 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: electrician programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Electricians is Oregon ($101,310); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Electricians median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Electricians or Construction Laborers?
Electricians earn more nationally. The median is $63,190 for Electricians versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Electricians or Construction Laborers?
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, Electricians or Construction Laborers?
Electricians typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Electricians get paid the most?
Oregon is the top-paying state for Electricians at $101,310/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Electricians vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Oregon, Electricians earn $101,310 vs. $50,860 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.