Skilled Wages

Construction laborer salary in North Carolina

Median $21.50 an hour for 35,620 construction laborers, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.

$21.50/hrMedian hourly wageNorth Carolina, May data
$44,720/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$15.31 – $28.8310th to 90th percentilehourly range
35,620Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-09-28

Construction laborer pay in North Carolina: the full range

Wage percentiles, North CarolinaMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40/hrNorth Carolina: 10th $15.31 · 25th $17.97 · median $21.50 · 75th $23.59 · 90th $28.83North Carolina$21.50$15.31$28.83United 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: North Carolina vs United States, May 2025.

North Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for median construction laborer pay, and 34th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $22.80). 35,620 construction laborers work in the state.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry$15.31 – $17.97$31,850 – $37,380roughly the 10th–25th percentile
Journeyman$17.97 – $23.59$37,380 – $49,070the middle half, around the median
Master / foreman / specialist$23.59 – $28.83$49,070 – $59,970the 75th–90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Construction laborer pay by metro in North Carolina

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30/hrAsheville: $22.85Asheville$22.85Durham: $22.38Durham$22.38Wilmington: $22.16Wilmington$22.16Pinehurst: $22.07Pinehurst$22.07Charlotte: $22.04Charlotte$22.04Raleigh: $21.95Raleigh$21.95Hickory: $21.42Hickory$21.42Fayetteville: $21.03Fayetteville$21.03Greenville: $20.40Greenville$20.40Burlington: $20.35Burlington$20.35Winston-Salem: $20.29Winston-Salem$20.29Greensboro: $19.28Greensboro$19.28
Median hourly wage for construction laborers by metro area in North Carolina, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hr90thJobsvs state
Asheville$16.73$22.85$29.461,3406% above
Durham$17.65$22.38$28.641,1204% above
Wilmington$16.23$22.16$32.071,8703% above
Pinehurst$16.93$22.07$27.922403% above
Charlotte$14.29$22.04$29.8110,8403% above
Raleigh$17.25$21.95$28.786,3602% above
Hickory$14.50$21.42$30.41800about the same as
Fayetteville$15.82$21.03$28.726002% below
Greenville$15.82$20.40$28.754505% below
Burlington$14.76$20.35$27.464005% below
Winston-Salem$16.30$20.29$29.192,0006% below
Greensboro$14.62$19.28$27.842,19010% below
Jacksonville$14.69$19.15$27.9639011% below
Goldsboro$16.87$18.91$28.1749012% below
Virginia Beach$14.70$18.51$23.735,66014% below
Rocky Mount$14.58$18.32$27.2634015% below

Construction laborer wages in North Carolina over time

North Carolina, 1999-2025North CarolinaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$5$10$15$20$25200020052010201520202025$22.66United States$21.50North Carolina
Median hourly wage for construction laborers, North Carolina vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearNorth Carolina $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$9.43$18.22$10.8521,170
2000$9.73$18.19$11.1524,580
2001$9.90$18.00$11.5724,800
2002$10.04$17.97$11.9023,240
2003$10.13$17.72$11.8623,840
2004$10.13$17.26$12.1023,150
2005$10.44$17.21$12.2223,230
2006$10.82$17.28$12.6627,210
2007$11.29$17.53$13.1330,820
2008$11.75$17.57$13.7129,600
2009$11.74$17.62$14.0122,740
2010$11.75$17.35$14.0819,240
2011$11.94$17.09$14.3017,970
2012$11.84$16.60$14.4216,900
2013$11.99$16.57$14.6416,470
2014$12.06$16.40$14.9517,220
2015$12.55$17.05$15.3418,690
2016$13.17$17.67$16.0720,400
2017$14.00$18.39$16.6022,390
2018$14.29$18.32$17.2124,910
2019$14.79$18.62$17.7226,110
2020$15.26$18.98$18.2225,820
2021$17.08$20.29$18.1628,360
2022$17.46$19.21$19.5931,600
2023$18.53$19.58$21.7831,550
2024$20.31$20.84$22.4738,530
2025$21.50$21.50$22.6635,620

In today's dollars, the median construction laborer wage in North Carolina changed by +26.1% over the last ten years of data.

Union scale and prevailing wage for construction laborers in North Carolina

On federally funded construction in North Carolina, contractors must pay construction laborers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 0 of the 100 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package — an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $12.17). 54 of the 100 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Alleghany County at $12.17). The market median for the state is $21.50.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, NCAlamance: $15.74 (survey)Alexander: $12.63 (survey)Alleghany: $12.17 (survey)Anson: $14.03 (survey)Ashe: $12.17 (survey)Avery: $12.17 (survey)Beaufort: $11.24 (survey)Bertie: $11.24 (survey)Bladen: $11.92 (survey)Brunswick: $13.63 (survey)Buncombe: $16.25 (survey)Burke: $12.63 (survey)Cabarrus: $16.91 (survey)Caldwell: $12.63 (survey)Camden: $11.24 (survey)Carteret: $11.24 (survey)Caswell: $12.89 (survey)Catawba: $12.58 (survey)Chatham: $15.74 (survey)Cherokee: $12.17 (survey)Chowan: $11.24 (survey)Clay: $12.17 (survey)Cleveland: $11.92 (survey)Columbus: $11.92 (survey)Craven: $15.27 (survey)Cumberland: $19.76 (survey)Currituck: $15.27 (survey)Dare: $11.24 (survey)Davidson: $12.94 (survey)Davie: $12.94 (survey)Duplin: $11.92 (survey)Durham: $11.72 (survey)Edgecombe: $10.88 (survey)Forsyth: $12.94 (survey)Franklin: $16.91 (survey)Gaston: $16.91 (survey)Gates: $15.27 (survey)Graham: $12.17 (survey)Granville: $12.89 (survey)Greene: $10.20 (survey)Guilford: $12.10 (survey)Halifax: $12.89 (survey)Harnett: $11.92 (survey)Haywood: $16.25 (survey)Henderson: $16.25 (survey)Hertford: $11.24 (survey)Hoke: $19.76 (survey)Hyde: $11.24 (survey)Iredell: $21.79 (survey)Jackson: $14.03 (survey)Johnston: $16.91 (survey)Jones: $15.27 (survey)Lee: $11.92 (survey)Lenoir: $11.92 (survey)Lincoln: $16.91 (survey)McDowell: $12.17 (survey)Macon: $12.17 (survey)Madison: $16.25 (survey)Martin: $11.24 (survey)Mecklenburg: $15.90 (survey)Mitchell: $12.17 (survey)Montgomery: $11.92 (survey)Moore: $11.92 (survey)Nash: $10.88 (survey)New Hanover: $11.92 (survey)Northampton: $12.89 (survey)Onslow: $12.79 (survey)Orange: $15.74 (survey)Pamlico: $15.27 (survey)Pasquotank: $12.20 (survey)Pender: $13.63 (survey)Perquimans: $11.24 (survey)Person: $15.74 (survey)Pitt: $10.88 (survey)Polk: $12.17 (survey)Randolph: $12.53 (survey)Richmond: $11.92 (survey)Robeson: $11.92 (survey)Rockingham: $12.53 (survey)Rowan: $16.91 (survey)Rutherford: $12.17 (survey)Sampson: $11.92 (survey)Scotland: $11.92 (survey)Stanly: $14.76 (survey)Stokes: $12.94 (survey)Surry: $12.17 (survey)Swain: $12.17 (survey)Transylvania: $12.17 (survey)Tyrrell: $11.24 (survey)Union: $16.91 (survey)Vance: $12.89 (survey)Wake: $16.74 (survey)Warren: $12.89 (survey)Washington: $11.24 (survey)Watauga: $11.56 (survey)Wayne: $10.20 (survey)Wilkes: $12.17 (survey)Wilson: $11.92 (survey)Yadkin: $12.94 (survey)Yancey: $12.17 (survey)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$11.92$12.17$12.89$15.36survey 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 (survey)$5$10$15$20$25/hrIredell (Charlotte): market median $22.04, prevailing (survey) $21.79, gap −$0.25Iredell (Charlotte)−$0.25Cumberland (Fayetteville): market median $21.03, prevailing (survey) $19.76, gap −$1.27Cumberland (Fayetteville)−$1.27Currituck (Virginia Beach): market median $18.51, prevailing (survey) $15.27, gap −$3.24Currituck (Virginia Beach)−$3.24Alamance (Burlington): market median $20.35, prevailing (survey) $15.74, gap −$4.61Alamance (Burlington)−$4.61Franklin (Raleigh): market median $21.95, prevailing (survey) $16.91, gap −$5.04Franklin (Raleigh)−$5.04Onslow (Jacksonville): market median $19.15, prevailing (survey) $12.79, gap −$6.36Onslow (Jacksonville)−$6.36Buncombe (Asheville): market median $22.85, prevailing (survey) $16.25, gap −$6.60Buncombe (Asheville)−$6.60Chatham (Durham): market median $22.38, prevailing (survey) $15.74, gap −$6.64Chatham (Durham)−$6.64Randolph (Greensboro): market median $19.28, prevailing (survey) $12.53, gap −$6.75Randolph (Greensboro)−$6.75Davidson (Winston-Salem): market median $20.29, prevailing (survey) $12.94, gap −$7.35Davidson (Winston-Salem)−$7.35Edgecombe (Rocky Mount): market median $18.32, prevailing (survey) $10.88, gap −$7.44Edgecombe (Rocky Mount)−$7.44Brunswick (Wilmington): market median $22.16, prevailing (survey) $13.63, gap −$8.53Brunswick (Wilmington)−$8.53Wayne (Goldsboro): market median $18.91, prevailing (survey) $10.20, gap −$8.71Wayne (Goldsboro)−$8.71Alexander (Hickory): market median $21.42, prevailing (survey) $12.63, gap −$8.79Alexander (Hickory)−$8.79Pitt (Greenville): market median $20.40, prevailing (survey) $10.88, gap −$9.52Pitt (Greenville)−$9.52Moore (Pinehurst): market median $22.07, prevailing (survey) $11.92, gap −$10.15Moore (Pinehurst)−$10.15
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for construction laborers, metro counties in North Carolina.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
IredellSurvey SUNC2018-007 2023-08-08$13.97$7.82$21.79NC20260007
CumberlandSurvey SUNC2018-019 2023-08-08$15.00$4.76$19.76NC20260122
HokeSurvey SUNC2018-019 2023-08-08$15.00$4.76$19.76NC20260122
CabarrusSurvey SUNC2018-017 2023-08-08$14.12$2.79$16.91NC20260017
FranklinSurvey SUNC2018-023 2023-08-08$14.78$2.13$16.91NC20260126
GastonSurvey SUNC2018-005 2023-08-08$14.12$2.79$16.91NC20260005
JohnstonSurvey SUNC2018-023 2023-08-08$14.78$2.13$16.91NC20260126
LincolnSurvey SUNC2018-017 2023-08-08$14.12$2.79$16.91NC20260017
RowanSurvey SUNC2018-017 2023-08-08$14.12$2.79$16.91NC20260017
UnionSurvey SUNC2018-017 2023-08-08$14.12$2.79$16.91NC20260017
WakeSurvey SUNC2018-011 2023-08-08$14.67$2.07$16.74NC20260011
BuncombeSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$13.56$2.69$16.25NC20260016
HaywoodSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$13.56$2.69$16.25NC20260016
HendersonSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$13.56$2.69$16.25NC20260016
MadisonSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$13.56$2.69$16.25NC20260016

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the North Carolina prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in North Carolina?

299.4kConstruction jobsNorth Carolina, 2026-08
+6.5%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-2026100k150k200k250k300k350k19901995200020052010201520202025299kAug 2026
Construction employment in North Carolina (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.

CountyEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Northampton County143$90,853$1,747
Clay County123$88,869$1,709
Mecklenburg County26,786$81,939$1,576
Wake County26,700$78,996$1,519
Lenoir County1,318$78,808$1,516
Randolph County2,578$76,487$1,471
Guilford County9,330$76,294$1,467
Union County6,038$75,738$1,456
Halifax County387$74,980$1,442
Rowan County2,616$74,689$1,436
Polk County190$73,921$1,422
Graham County288$73,214$1,408

Keep comparing

Construction laborer pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in North Carolina

Questions this page answers

How much do construction laborers make in North Carolina?

The median construction laborer in North Carolina earned $21.50 an hour ($44,720 a year) in May 2025, 5% below the national median of $22.66. The middle half earn $17.97–$23.59; the top 10% earn more than $28.83.

Where does North Carolina rank for construction laborer pay?

North Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for construction laborer pay, with a median of $21.50 an hour, and 34th after adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (BEA price parity 94.3, US = 100).

What is the union construction laborer rate in North Carolina?

Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a construction laborer classification for most North Carolina counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.

How many construction laborers work in North Carolina?

BLS counted 35,620 construction laborers in North Carolina in May 2025, 7.2 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.02; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, North Carolina and metro areas, SOC 47-2061.
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
  • SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.