Construction Laborers Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Construction Laborers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC make a median of $44,860 a year, or about $21.57 an hour. The range runs from $33K at the entry level to $65K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $45,977 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,711/month — about 54.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $45K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About construction laborers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level construction laborers (10th percentile) start around $33K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K.Top earners bring in $65K or more - a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Construction Laborers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66K | +41% | 4,140 |
| Illinois | $65K | +39% | 31,960 |
| New Jersey | $63K | +35% | 20,720 |
| Massachusetts | $62K | +34% | 16,800 |
| California | $61K | +30% | 85,370 |
| Minnesota | $59K | +26% | 27,510 |
| Rhode Island | $58K | +25% | 2,080 |
| Alaska | $58K | +24% | 3,110 |
| New York | $58K | +23% | 49,890 |
| Washington | $57K | +22% | 27,410 |
| Missouri | $54K | +15% | 18,180 |
| Wisconsin | $52K | +11% | 19,220 |
| Connecticut | $52K | +11% | 8,380 |
| Oregon | $50K | +7% | 12,050 |
| Ohio | $50K | +6% | 30,820 |
Track construction laborers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
Related careers in Construction & Trades
Frequently asked questions
How much do construction laborers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $44,860 a year - that works out to about $21.57 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,530, and experienced construction laborers can clear $64,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,005/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a construction laborers salary go in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median construction laborers salary is worth about $45,977 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do construction laborers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.