Skilled Wages

Construction laborer salary in Michigan

Median $23.84 an hour for 28,490 construction laborers, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$23.84/hrMedian hourly wageMichigan, May data
$49,590/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$17.90 – $33.6010th to 90th percentilehourly range
28,490Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-11-13

Construction laborer pay in Michigan: the full range

Wage percentiles, MichiganMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40/hrMichigan: 10th $17.90 · 25th $21.52 · median $23.84 · 75th $29.68 · 90th $33.60Michigan$23.84$17.90$33.60United States: 10th $16.87 · 25th $18.57 · median $22.66 · 75th $28.72 · 90th $37.54United States$22.66
Hourly wage percentiles for construction laborers: Michigan vs United States, May 2025.

Michigan ranks 20th of 51 states for median construction laborer pay, and 21st once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $24.78). 28,490 construction laborers work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.9× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$17.90 – $21.52$37,220 – $44,750roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$21.52 – $29.68$44,750 – $61,730the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$29.68 – $33.60$61,730 – $69,890the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Construction laborer pay by metro in Michigan

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30/hrLansing: $27.68Lansing$27.68Detroit: $27.61Detroit$27.61Flint: $27.49Flint$27.49Battle Creek: $27.26Battle Creek$27.26Kalamazoo: $24.70Kalamazoo$24.70Monroe: $24.62Monroe$24.62Ann Arbor: $24.48Ann Arbor$24.48South Bend: $24.46South Bend$24.46Saginaw: $23.56Saginaw$23.56Midland: $23.46Midland$23.46Traverse City: $23.27Traverse City$23.27Jackson: $23.14Jackson$23.14
Median hourly wage for construction laborers by metro area in Michigan, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Lansing$18.00$27.68$29.14$33.191,45016% above
Detroit$18.55$27.61$27.53$34.8711,61016% above
Flint$18.15$27.49$29.56$38.9398015% above
Battle Creek$18.93$27.26$30.12$31.2522014% above
Kalamazoo$17.96$24.70$26.05$32.166204% above
Monroe$17.84$24.62$26.33$34.413303% above
Ann Arbor$18.38$24.48$24.26$34.035103% above
South Bend$17.75$24.46$26.33$41.428003% above
Saginaw$15.00$23.56$25.92$31.255401% below
Midland$18.60$23.46$25.53$32.272702% below
Traverse City$17.80$23.27$24.91$29.997402% below
Jackson$15.39$23.14$25.21$29.733403% below
Grand Rapids$18.07$22.97$24.05$32.013,9904% below
Bay City$15.82$22.77$24.78$29.472504% below
Muskegon$17.73$22.60$24.43$30.542705% below
Niles$16.77$22.37$24.21$29.952906% below

Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).

Construction laborer wages in Michigan over time

Michigan, 1999-2025MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$5$10$15$20$25$30200020052010201520202025$23.84Michigan$22.66United States
Median hourly wage for construction laborers, Michigan vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearMichigan $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$13.18$25.47$10.8522,890
2000$15.44$28.87$11.1525,210
2001$16.12$29.30$11.5722,650
2002$15.71$28.11$11.9020,380
2003$16.03$28.05$11.8618,630
2004$14.55$24.80$12.1018,220
2005$15.76$25.98$12.2221,560
2006$15.56$24.85$12.6623,860
2007$16.23$25.20$13.1322,560
2008$15.94$23.84$13.7122,410
2009$15.82$23.74$14.0119,060
2010$15.49$22.87$14.0818,270
2011$16.56$23.70$14.3018,650
2012$16.69$23.40$14.4220,410
2013$16.92$23.38$14.6421,000
2014$16.89$22.97$14.9522,460
2015$17.14$23.28$15.3421,170
2016$17.17$23.03$16.0722,510
2017$17.61$23.13$16.6021,850
2018$18.04$23.13$17.2124,500
2019$18.53$23.33$17.7225,730
2020$18.98$23.61$18.2223,990
2021$18.62$22.12$18.1626,080
2022$21.79$23.97$19.5928,350
2023$22.72$24.01$21.7826,150
2024$23.40$24.02$22.4726,570
2025$23.84$23.84$22.6628,490

In today's dollars, the median construction laborer wage in Michigan changed by +2.4% over the last ten years of data and by +2.2% since 2019.

Are there more construction laborer jobs in Michigan?

+10.7%Jobs since 201925,730 then, 28,490 in 2025
+34.6%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
6.5Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 0.9× the US share, 33rd of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of construction laborers counted in Michigan has changed by +24.5%, against +43.7% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +10.7%.

Construction laborers in Michigan vs United States, 1999 = 100MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages6080100120140160200020052010201520202025144United States124Michigan
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Michigan vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearMichigan jobsMichigan indexUS index
199922,890100100
200025,210110108
200122,65099108
200220,38089109
200318,63081110
200418,22080112
200521,56094122
200623,860104133
200722,56099138
200822,41098134
200919,06083112
201018,27080102
201118,65082102
201220,41089107
201321,00092108
201422,46098112
201521,17092116
201622,51098120
201721,85096126
201824,500107131
201925,730112134
202023,990105127
202126,080114127
202228,350124133
202326,150114134
202426,570116138
202528,490124144

Job counts are BLS OEWS survey estimates built from three years of samples, so moves of a few percent from one year to the next are within the survey's margin. Self-employed tradespeople are not counted. Areas with fewer than 3,000 jobs or a large sampling error are shown as a single figure rather than a trend.

Outlook for construction laborers in Michigan

+5.1%Projected growth in Michigan2024–2034, state agency
3,110Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
36,280Jobs in 202438,120 projected for 2034
+7.3%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Michigan's labor market agency projects the number of construction laborers in the state to change by +5.1% between 2024 and 2034, from 36,280 to 38,120, with about 3,110 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +7.3% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 28,490 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).

Union scale and prevailing wage for construction laborers in Michigan

On federally funded construction in Michigan, contractors must pay construction laborers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 63 of the 83 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $41.63 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $18.25). 20 of the 83 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Alcona County at $21.55). The market median for the state is $23.84.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, MIAlcona: $21.55 (survey)Alger: $41.63 (union)Allegan: $40.66 (union)Alpena: $21.55 (survey)Antrim: $17.10 (survey)Arenac: $8.00 (survey)Baraga: $41.63 (union)Barry: $23.53 (survey)Bay: $41.13 (union)Benzie: $38.47 (union)Berrien: $40.66 (union)Branch: $40.66 (union)Calhoun: $40.66 (union)Cass: $40.66 (union)Charlevoix: $39.68 (union)Cheboygan: $21.55 (survey)Chippewa: $41.63 (union)Clare: $22.60 (survey)Clinton: $45.98 (union)Crawford: $18.55 (survey)Delta: $41.63 (union)Dickinson: $41.63 (union)Eaton: $45.98 (union)Emmet: $39.68 (union)Genesee: $45.56 (union)Gladwin: $12.97 (survey)Gogebic: $41.63 (union)Grand Traverse: $17.31 (survey)Gratiot: $11.92 (survey)Hillsdale: $45.80 (union)Houghton: $41.63 (union)Huron: $39.65 (union)Ingham: $45.98 (union)Ionia: $45.98 (union)Iosco: $11.00 (survey)Iron: $41.63 (union)Isabella: $17.94 (survey)Jackson: $45.80 (union)Kalamazoo: $40.66 (union)Kalkaska: $39.68 (union)Kent: $17.84 (survey)Keweenaw: $41.63 (union)Lake: $34.94 (union)Lapeer: $45.56 (union)Leelanau: $16.40 (survey)Lenawee: $45.80 (union)Livingston: $53.56 (union)Luce: $41.63 (union)Mackinac: $41.63 (union)Macomb: $56.25 (union)Manistee: $34.94 (union)Marquette: $41.63 (union)Mason: $34.94 (union)Mecosta: $34.94 (union)Menominee: $41.63 (union)Midland: $41.13 (union)Missaukee: $17.91 (survey)Monroe: $54.28 (union)Montcalm: $34.94 (union)Montmorency: $38.47 (union)Muskegon: $41.51 (union)Newaygo: $41.51 (union)Oakland: $56.25 (union)Oceana: $34.94 (union)Ogemaw: $41.13 (union)Ontonagon: $41.63 (union)Osceola: $34.94 (union)Oscoda: $21.55 (survey)Otsego: $18.87 (survey)Ottawa: $41.51 (union)Presque Isle: $21.55 (survey)Roscommon: $41.13 (union)Saginaw: $41.13 (union)St. Clair: $49.70 (union)St. Joseph: $40.66 (union)Sanilac: $49.70 (union)Schoolcraft: $41.63 (union)Shiawassee: $45.56 (union)Tuscola: $19.20 (survey)Van Buren: $40.66 (union)Washtenaw: $53.56 (union)Wayne: $56.25 (union)Wexford: $39.68 (union)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$21.55$39.68$41.53$45.56survey rate
Davis-Bacon base + fringe for construction laborers by county, Building construction. Hatched counties use a survey rate rather than a union contract.
Market median vs prevailing wage by countyMarket medianPrevailing (union)$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrMonroe (Monroe): market median $24.62, prevailing (union) $54.28, gap +$29.66Monroe (Monroe)+$29.66Washtenaw (Ann Arbor): market median $24.48, prevailing (union) $53.56, gap +$29.08Washtenaw (Ann Arbor)+$29.08Macomb (Detroit): market median $27.61, prevailing (union) $56.25, gap +$28.64Macomb (Detroit)+$28.64Ionia (Grand Rapids): market median $22.97, prevailing (union) $45.98, gap +$23.01Ionia (Grand Rapids)+$23.01Jackson (Jackson): market median $23.14, prevailing (union) $45.80, gap +$22.66Jackson (Jackson)+$22.66Muskegon (Muskegon): market median $22.60, prevailing (union) $41.51, gap +$18.91Muskegon (Muskegon)+$18.91Bay (Bay City): market median $22.77, prevailing (union) $41.13, gap +$18.36Bay (Bay City)+$18.36Clinton (Lansing): market median $27.68, prevailing (union) $45.98, gap +$18.30Clinton (Lansing)+$18.30Berrien (Niles): market median $22.37, prevailing (union) $40.66, gap +$18.29Berrien (Niles)+$18.29Genesee (Flint): market median $27.49, prevailing (union) $45.56, gap +$18.07Genesee (Flint)+$18.07Midland (Midland): market median $23.46, prevailing (union) $41.13, gap +$17.67Midland (Midland)+$17.67Saginaw (Saginaw): market median $23.56, prevailing (union) $41.13, gap +$17.57Saginaw (Saginaw)+$17.57Kalkaska (Traverse City): market median $23.27, prevailing (union) $39.68, gap +$16.41Kalkaska (Traverse City)+$16.41Cass (South Bend): market median $24.46, prevailing (union) $40.66, gap +$16.20Cass (South Bend)+$16.20Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo): market median $24.70, prevailing (union) $40.66, gap +$15.96Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo)+$15.96Calhoun (Battle Creek): market median $27.26, prevailing (union) $40.66, gap +$13.40Calhoun (Battle Creek)+$13.40
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for construction laborers, metro counties in Michigan.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
MacombUnion LABO1191-002 2025-06-01$38.00$18.25$56.25MI20260091
OaklandUnion LABO1076-003 2025-06-01$38.00$18.25$56.25MI20260095
WayneUnion LABO1191-002 2025-06-01$38.00$18.25$56.25MI20260101
MonroeUnion LABO0499-003 2025-06-01$38.58$15.70$54.28MI20260092
LivingstonUnion LABO0499-001 2025-08-01$38.11$15.45$53.56MI20260090
WashtenawUnion LABO0499-005 2025-08-01$38.11$15.45$53.56MI20260100
St. ClairUnion LABO1075-003 2025-06-01$31.30$18.40$49.70MI20260098
SanilacUnion LABO1075-013 2025-06-01$31.30$18.40$49.70MI20260149
ClintonUnion LABO0499-012 2025-06-01$32.53$13.45$45.98MI20260081
EatonUnion LABO0499-013 2025-06-01$32.53$13.45$45.98MI20260082
InghamUnion LABO0499-012 2025-06-01$32.53$13.45$45.98MI20260084
IoniaUnion LABO0499-011 2025-06-01$32.53$13.45$45.98MI20260085
HillsdaleUnion LABO0499-007 2025-06-01$32.35$13.45$45.80MI20260123
JacksonUnion LABO0499-015 2025-06-01$32.35$13.45$45.80MI20260086
LenaweeUnion LABO0499-007 2025-06-01$32.35$13.45$45.80MI20260131

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Michigan prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in Michigan?

209.1kConstruction jobsMichigan, 2026-09
-1.3%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202650k100k150k200k250k19901995200020052010201520202025209kSep 2026
Construction employment in Michigan (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

Contractor pay by county

Average pay at specialty trade contractors establishments by county (all employees, not just construction laborers), from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages. Across the 73 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 96,108 in 2015 to 124,330 in 2025, +29.4%.

CountyEstablishmentsEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Dickinson County44707$102,654$1,974
Kalkaska County30317$100,718$1,937
Oakland County1,77221,304$95,370$1,834
Monroe County1711,461$95,332$1,833
Wayne County1,43116,808$92,147$1,772
Genesee County4365,228$86,793$1,669
Muskegon County1821,898$84,641$1,628
Macomb County1,38012,658$84,297$1,621
Washtenaw County3683,154$84,026$1,616
Kent County97413,928$83,955$1,615
Kalamazoo County2884,400$82,733$1,591
Calhoun County1431,463$82,475$1,586

Keep comparing

Construction laborer pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Michigan

More on Michigan

Questions this page answers

How much do construction laborers make in Michigan?

The median construction laborer in Michigan earned $23.84 an hour ($49,590 a year) in May 2025, 5% above the national median of $22.66. The middle half earn $21.52–$29.68; the top 10% earn more than $33.60.

Where does Michigan rank for construction laborer pay?

Michigan ranks 20th of 51 states for construction laborer pay, with a median of $23.84 an hour, and 21st after adjusting for Michigan's cost of living (BEA price parity 96.2, US = 100).

What is the union construction laborer rate in Michigan?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for construction laborers in 63 counties, with a typical package of $41.63 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many construction laborers work in Michigan?

BLS counted 28,490 construction laborers in Michigan in May 2025, 6.5 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.92; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is construction laborer work growing in Michigan?

The BLS employer survey count of construction laborers in Michigan went from 21,170 in 2015 to 28,490 in 2025, +34.6%, and +10.7% since 2019. Michigan's labor market agency projects +5.1% growth for construction laborers between 2024 and 2034, from 36,280 to 38,120 jobs.

How many construction laborer openings a year are there in Michigan?

Michigan projects about 3,110 openings a year for construction laborers over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 120,000 a year.

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Michigan and metro areas, SOC 47-2061. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
  • SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
  • BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
  • State projection: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.