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First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers out-earn Construction Laborers by $33K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers land at $79,920 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers is Washington ($109,570); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Construction Laborers
Median salary
$79,920
$47,120
Hourly rate
$38.42/hr
$22.66/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$53,280
$35,090
Senior level (90th %)
$128,260
$78,090
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
812,210
1,096,780
Job growth (10-year)
5.3%
7.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
Washington
Hawaii

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers median pay.

State
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Construction Laborers
Washington
$109,570
$57,720
Illinois
$105,750
$60,690
New Jersey
$105,510
$64,060
Oregon
$103,070
$50,860
Hawaii
$102,630
$77,110
Alaska
$102,140
$58,060
Rhode Island
$98,590
$57,240
Massachusetts
$97,850
$63,390
California
$97,680
$60,270
Minnesota
$97,610
$60,260
New York
$95,700
$55,930
Connecticut
$92,260
$58,290
Missouri
$87,520
$56,730
Wisconsin
$85,350
$56,100
Ohio
$79,580
$56,080

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers or Construction Laborers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn more nationally. The median is $79,920 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $33K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers or Construction Laborers?

Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to 5.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers or Construction Laborers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers 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 First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers at $109,570/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn $109,570 vs. $57,720 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers salary breakdownView →Full Construction Laborers salary breakdownView →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Construction Laborers by take-home payExplore →How to become a first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersGuide →How to become a construction laborersGuide →