Skilled Wages

Construction laborer salary in Wisconsin

Median $26.97 an hour for 20,330 construction laborers, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$26.97/hrMedian hourly wageWisconsin, May data
$56,100/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$18.26 – $38.9010th to 90th percentilehourly range
20,330Jobs countedemployer survey

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

Construction laborer pay in Wisconsin: the full range

Wage percentiles, WisconsinMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50/hrWisconsin: 10th $18.26 · 25th $22.14 · median $26.97 · 75th $34.68 · 90th $38.90Wisconsin$26.97$18.26$38.90United 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: Wisconsin vs United States, May 2025.

Wisconsin ranks 12th of 51 states for median construction laborer pay, and 7th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $28.66). 20,330 construction laborers work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.1× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$18.26 – $22.14$37,990 – $46,060roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$22.14 – $34.68$46,060 – $72,130the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$34.68 – $38.90$72,130 – $80,920the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Construction laborer pay by metro in Wisconsin

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30$40/hrMinneapolis: $29.79Minneapolis$29.79Duluth: $29.49Duluth$29.49Appleton: $28.49Appleton$28.49La Crosse: $28.32La Crosse$28.32Eau Claire: $28.00Eau Claire$28.00Milwaukee: $27.61Milwaukee$27.61Madison: $27.40Madison$27.40Sheboygan: $27.14Sheboygan$27.14Fond du Lac: $27.02Fond du Lac$27.02Janesville: $26.77Janesville$26.77Green Bay: $26.39Green Bay$26.39Racine: $26.11Racine$26.11
Median hourly wage for construction laborers by metro area in Wisconsin, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Minneapolis$21.09$29.79$28.43$46.4817,33010% above
Duluth$20.97$29.49$33.21$42.991,3909% above
Appleton$18.55$28.49$30.83$39.851,0306% above
La Crosse$18.70$28.32$30.85$36.486105% above
Eau Claire$18.45$28.00$30.17$38.176404% above
Milwaukee$18.41$27.61$28.49$40.154,7402% above
Madison$17.60$27.40$28.16$38.682,3702% above
Sheboygan$18.18$27.14$28.87$35.803101% above
Fond du Lac$18.72$27.02$29.50$38.07420about the same as
Janesville$17.81$26.77$28.57$38.414801% below
Green Bay$18.32$26.39$28.35$38.041,1602% below
Racine$18.46$26.11$27.20$38.765403% below
Wausau$18.71$25.30$27.29$38.015106% below
Oshkosh$18.74$24.65$26.53$37.735609% below
Kenosha$18.04$24.06$23.80$37.3934011% below

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

Construction laborer wages in Wisconsin over time

Wisconsin, 1999-2025WisconsinUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$5$10$15$20$25$30200020052010201520202025$26.97Wisconsin$22.66United States
Median hourly wage for construction laborers, Wisconsin vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearWisconsin $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$14.65$28.31$10.8512,580
2000$14.44$27.00$11.1514,890
2001$15.56$28.29$11.5714,610
2002$16.54$29.60$11.9013,280
2003$16.26$28.45$11.8613,050
2004$15.83$26.98$12.1014,050
2005$15.88$26.18$12.2213,330
2006$16.42$26.22$12.6613,160
2007$17.83$27.68$13.1313,280
2008$18.96$28.35$13.7112,640
2009$19.18$28.78$14.0111,590
2010$18.21$26.89$14.0810,830
2011$17.94$25.68$14.3010,850
2012$17.60$24.68$14.4210,840
2013$17.43$24.09$14.6411,830
2014$17.86$24.29$14.9513,070
2015$17.77$24.14$15.3413,900
2016$18.70$25.08$16.0713,240
2017$19.04$25.01$16.6013,780
2018$19.69$25.24$17.2115,100
2019$19.70$24.81$17.7216,280
2020$19.44$24.18$18.2215,860
2021$21.96$26.09$18.1615,220
2022$22.49$24.74$19.5917,990
2023$23.72$25.06$21.7819,280
2024$24.99$25.65$22.4719,220
2025$26.97$26.97$22.6620,330

In today's dollars, the median construction laborer wage in Wisconsin changed by +11.7% over the last ten years of data and by +8.7% since 2019.

Are there more construction laborer jobs in Wisconsin?

+24.9%Jobs since 201916,280 then, 20,330 in 2025
+46.3%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
6.9Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 1.0× the US share, 29th of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of construction laborers counted in Wisconsin has changed by +61.6%, against +43.7% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +24.9%.

Construction laborers in Wisconsin vs United States, 1999 = 100WisconsinUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages75100125150175200020052010201520202025162Wisconsin144United States
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Wisconsin vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearWisconsin jobsWisconsin indexUS index
199912,580100100
200014,890118108
200114,610116108
200213,280106109
200313,050104110
200414,050112112
200513,330106122
200613,160105133
200713,280106138
200812,640100134
200911,59092112
201010,83086102
201110,85086102
201210,84086107
201311,83094108
201413,070104112
201513,900110116
201613,240105120
201713,780110126
201815,100120131
201916,280129134
202015,860126127
202115,220121127
202217,990143133
202319,280153134
202419,220153138
202520,330162144

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 Wisconsin

+13.5%Projected growth in Wisconsin2024–2034, state agency
2,390Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
24,540Jobs in 202427,860 projected for 2034
+7.3%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Wisconsin's labor market agency projects the number of construction laborers in the state to change by +13.5% between 2024 and 2034, from 24,540 to 27,860, with about 2,390 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +7.3% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 20,330 counted by the BLS employer survey.

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

Union scale and prevailing wage for construction laborers in Wisconsin

On federally funded construction in Wisconsin, contractors must pay construction laborers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 72 of the 72 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $56.32 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical —). The market median for the state is $26.97.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, WIAdams: $56.32 (union)Ashland: $56.32 (union)Barron: $56.32 (union)Bayfield: $56.32 (union)Brown: $57.02 (union)Buffalo: $56.32 (union)Burnett: $56.32 (union)Calumet: $57.02 (union)Chippewa: $57.67 (union)Clark: $56.32 (union)Columbia: $56.32 (union)Crawford: $56.32 (union)Dane: $57.67 (union)Dodge: $56.32 (union)Door: $56.32 (union)Douglas: $59.51 (union)Dunn: $56.32 (union)Eau Claire: $57.67 (union)Florence: $56.32 (union)Fond du Lac: $56.32 (union)Forest: $56.32 (union)Grant: $56.32 (union)Green: $56.32 (union)Green Lake: $56.32 (union)Iowa: $56.32 (union)Iron: $56.32 (union)Jackson: $56.32 (union)Jefferson: $56.32 (union)Juneau: $56.32 (union)Kenosha: $63.13 (union)Kewaunee: $56.32 (union)La Crosse: $57.67 (union)Lafayette: $56.32 (union)Langlade: $56.32 (union)Lincoln: $56.32 (union)Manitowoc: $56.32 (union)Marathon: $57.02 (union)Marinette: $56.32 (union)Marquette: $56.32 (union)Menominee: $56.32 (union)Milwaukee: $64.40 (union)Monroe: $56.32 (union)Oconto: $56.32 (union)Oneida: $56.32 (union)Outagamie: $57.02 (union)Ozaukee: $64.40 (union)Pepin: $56.32 (union)Pierce: $57.67 (union)Polk: $56.32 (union)Portage: $56.32 (union)Price: $56.32 (union)Racine: $63.13 (union)Richland: $56.32 (union)Rock: $57.67 (union)Rusk: $56.32 (union)St. Croix: $57.67 (union)Sauk: $56.32 (union)Sawyer: $56.32 (union)Shawano: $56.32 (union)Sheboygan: $57.02 (union)Taylor: $56.32 (union)Trempealeau: $56.32 (union)Vernon: $56.32 (union)Vilas: $56.32 (union)Walworth: $56.32 (union)Washburn: $56.32 (union)Washington: $64.40 (union)Waukesha: $64.40 (union)Waupaca: $56.32 (union)Waushara: $56.32 (union)Winnebago: $57.02 (union)Wood: $56.32 (union)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$57.02
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)$20$40$60$80/hrKenosha (Kenosha): market median $24.06, prevailing (union) $63.13, gap +$39.07Kenosha (Kenosha)+$39.07Racine (Racine): market median $26.11, prevailing (union) $63.13, gap +$37.02Racine (Racine)+$37.02Milwaukee (Milwaukee): market median $27.61, prevailing (union) $64.40, gap +$36.79Milwaukee (Milwaukee)+$36.79Winnebago (Oshkosh): market median $24.65, prevailing (union) $57.02, gap +$32.37Winnebago (Oshkosh)+$32.37Marathon (Wausau): market median $25.30, prevailing (union) $57.02, gap +$31.72Marathon (Wausau)+$31.72Rock (Janesville): market median $26.77, prevailing (union) $57.67, gap +$30.90Rock (Janesville)+$30.90Brown (Green Bay): market median $26.39, prevailing (union) $57.02, gap +$30.63Brown (Green Bay)+$30.63Dane (Madison): market median $27.40, prevailing (union) $57.67, gap +$30.27Dane (Madison)+$30.27Douglas (Duluth): market median $29.49, prevailing (union) $59.51, gap +$30.02Douglas (Duluth)+$30.02Sheboygan (Sheboygan): market median $27.14, prevailing (union) $57.02, gap +$29.88Sheboygan (Sheboygan)+$29.88Chippewa (Eau Claire): market median $28.00, prevailing (union) $57.67, gap +$29.67Chippewa (Eau Claire)+$29.67La Crosse (La Crosse): market median $28.32, prevailing (union) $57.67, gap +$29.35La Crosse (La Crosse)+$29.35Fond du Lac (Fond du Lac): market median $27.02, prevailing (union) $56.32, gap +$29.30Fond du Lac (Fond du Lac)+$29.30Calumet (Appleton): market median $28.49, prevailing (union) $57.02, gap +$28.53Calumet (Appleton)+$28.53Pierce (Minneapolis): market median $29.79, prevailing (union) $57.67, gap +$27.88Pierce (Minneapolis)+$27.88
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for construction laborers, metro counties in Wisconsin.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
MilwaukeeUnion LABO0113-001 2025-06-02$40.48$23.92$64.40WI20260001
OzaukeeUnion LABO0113-001 2025-06-02$40.48$23.92$64.40WI20260001
WashingtonUnion LABO0113-001 2025-06-02$40.48$23.92$64.40WI20260001
WaukeshaUnion LABO0113-001 2025-06-02$40.48$23.92$64.40WI20260001
KenoshaUnion LABO0113-012 2025-06-01$38.71$24.42$63.13WI20260004
RacineUnion LABO0113-012 2025-06-01$38.71$24.42$63.13WI20260009
DouglasUnion LABO1091-008 2025-05-01$36.04$23.47$59.51WI20260007
ChippewaUnion LABO0268-002 2025-06-01$37.70$19.97$57.67WI20260006
DaneUnion LABO0464-001 2025-06-01$37.70$19.97$57.67WI20260005
Eau ClaireUnion LABO0268-002 2025-06-01$37.70$19.97$57.67WI20260006
La CrosseUnion LABO0140-001 2025-06-01$37.70$19.97$57.67WI20260003
PierceUnion LABO0268-002 2025-06-01$37.70$19.97$57.67WI20260013
RockUnion LABO0464-004 2025-06-01$37.70$19.97$57.67WI20260012
St. CroixUnion LABO0268-002 2025-06-01$37.70$19.97$57.67WI20260013
BrownUnion LABO0330-004 2025-06-01$37.05$19.97$57.02WI20260014

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

Is construction work growing in Wisconsin?

160.1kConstruction jobsWisconsin, 2026-09
+5.0%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202650k100k150k200k19901995200020052010201520202025160kSep 2026
Construction employment in Wisconsin (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 65 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 67,193 in 2015 to 92,281 in 2025, +37.3%.

CountyEstablishmentsEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Bayfield County43271$111,909$2,152
Racine County3323,219$97,833$1,881
Milwaukee County8949,679$90,054$1,732
Waukesha County1,03414,002$89,440$1,720
Fond du Lac County1781,784$88,767$1,707
Outagamie County4706,024$86,801$1,669
Winnebago County2633,218$85,901$1,652
Dodge County1701,226$84,364$1,622
Dane County85810,631$83,128$1,599
Brown County4925,798$79,780$1,534
Marathon County2652,174$79,227$1,524
Dunn County76566$78,118$1,502

Keep comparing

Construction laborer pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Wisconsin

More on Wisconsin

Questions this page answers

How much do construction laborers make in Wisconsin?

The median construction laborer in Wisconsin earned $26.97 an hour ($56,100 a year) in May 2025, 19% above the national median of $22.66. The middle half earn $22.14–$34.68; the top 10% earn more than $38.90.

Where does Wisconsin rank for construction laborer pay?

Wisconsin ranks 12th of 51 states for construction laborer pay, with a median of $26.97 an hour, and 7th after adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (BEA price parity 94.1, US = 100).

What is the union construction laborer rate in Wisconsin?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for construction laborers in 72 counties, with a typical package of $56.32 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many construction laborers work in Wisconsin?

BLS counted 20,330 construction laborers in Wisconsin in May 2025, 6.9 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.98; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is construction laborer work growing in Wisconsin?

The BLS employer survey count of construction laborers in Wisconsin went from 13,900 in 2015 to 20,330 in 2025, +46.3%, and +24.9% since 2019. Wisconsin's labor market agency projects +13.5% growth for construction laborers between 2024 and 2034, from 24,540 to 27,860 jobs.

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

Wisconsin projects about 2,390 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, Wisconsin 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: Wisconsin labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.