Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger Salary: United States
At Skilled Trades Headhunters, this is what we do all day: recruit skilled trades professionals.
The median annual wage for Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in the United States was $47,120 in May 2025 (BLS). The middle half of workers in this occupation and area earned between $38,620 and $59,740. This is the broader occupation used for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger, not a separately surveyed rate for that title or credential.
Broader occupation Our title "Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger" is reported by BLS as SOC 47-2061 Construction Laborers. BLS groups Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger within Construction Laborers; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
Annual wages: Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061)
Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061), the United States, annual wages: 10% earned less than $35,090, half earned less than the median of $47,120, 90% earned less than $78,090 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,090 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $38,620 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $47,120 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $59,740 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $78,090 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $52,030 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Hourly wages: Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061)
Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061), the United States, hourly wages: 10% earned less than $16.87, half earned less than the median of $22.66, 90% earned less than $37.54 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Hourly wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $16.87 per hour | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $18.57 per hour | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $22.66 per hour | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $28.72 per hour | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $37.54 per hour | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $25.02 per hour | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Employment: BLS estimates 1,096,780 workers in this occupation nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 47-2061 Construction Laborers, National.
What BLS wages measure. OEWS estimates describe straight-time gross wages, not just base salary and not total compensation. They include commissions and production bonuses. They exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. Discuss travel, per diem, tool and truck allowances separately. Percentiles describe the occupation's wage distribution, not seniority, plant size, job complexity or credentials. Licensing, union agreements and prevailing-wage obligations depend on the work and assignment; these figures do not establish a premium for them.
Official BLS wage definitions | Source dates and methodology
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Target metros
New York City and Northern New Jersey share the New York-Newark-Jersey City BLS area and one estimate, shown once below.
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th percentile | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $45,520 | $38,120 to $49,100 | 18,280 | 0.92 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $43,750 | $37,160 to $47,440 | 12,860 | 1.26 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $40,880 | $36,660 to $46,890 | 12,290 | 1.23 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $45,650 | $38,080 to $49,450 | 6,360 | 1.21 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,270 | $45,450 to $92,350 | 50,870 | 0.76 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $43,960 | $37,840 to $47,400 | 29,670 | 1.04 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $41,350 | $37,070 to $47,590 | 34,080 | 1.47 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $60,890 | $46,290 to $100,750 | 26,690 | 0.84 |
How does Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger pay differ by industry?
These are national industry estimates for SOC 47-2061, not local offers or separate estimates for the niche title. Industry names are exactly as BLS publishes them.
| Industry | NAICS | Median | Basis | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities | 22 | $54,950 | Annual | 2,720 |
| Utilities | 221000 | $54,950 | Annual | 2,720 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 221100 | $60,750 | Annual | 990 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | 221200 | $81,470 | Annual | 660 |
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | 221300 | $45,580 | Annual | 1,070 |
| Construction | 23 | $47,430 | Annual | 929,760 |
| Construction of Buildings | 236000 | $47,770 | Annual | 271,860 |
| Residential Building Construction | 236100 | $46,550 | Annual | 153,150 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 236200 | $49,940 | Annual | 118,700 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237000 | $47,490 | Annual | 255,760 |
| Utility System Construction | 237100 | $46,740 | Annual | 128,900 |
| Land Subdivision | 237200 | $43,300 | Annual | 2,670 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | 237300 | $50,080 | Annual | 92,300 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237900 | $46,850 | Annual | 31,880 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 238000 | $47,230 | Annual | 402,140 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 238100 | $47,070 | Annual | 114,160 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 238200 | $47,650 | Annual | 49,940 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | 238300 | $46,710 | Annual | 51,990 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 238900 | $47,410 | Annual | 186,050 |
| Food Manufacturing | 311000 | $59,840 | Annual | 190 |
| Grain and Oilseed Milling | 311200 | $62,320 | Annual | 130 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 311600 | $47,840 | Annual | 30 |
| Manufacturing | 31-33 | $44,930 | Annual | 16,430 |
| Textile Product Mills | 314000 | $61,160 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Other Textile Product Mills | 314900 | $61,160 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | 321000 | $37,710 | Annual | 2,960 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 321200 | $40,030 | Annual | 50 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 321900 | $37,570 | Annual | 2,910 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 324000 | $47,900 | Annual | 1,640 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 324100 | $47,900 | Annual | 1,640 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 327000 | $45,310 | Annual | 8,580 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 332000 | $44,650 | Annual | 2,100 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 3320A1 | $38,280 | Annual | 330 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 3320A2 | $45,650 | Annual | 1,700 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 333000 | $48,600 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 3330A1 | $48,600 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 336000 | $49,040 | Annual | 160 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 336100 | $79,340 | Annual | 30 |
| Ship and Boat Building | 336600 | $47,870 | Annual | 110 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 337000 | $42,510 | Annual | 230 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 3370A1 | $42,510 | Annual | 230 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339000 | $56,250 | Annual | 70 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339900 | $56,240 | Annual | 50 |
| Rail Transportation | 482000 | $42,620 | Annual | 350 |
| Rail Transportation | 482100 | $42,620 | Annual | 350 |
| Truck Transportation | 484000 | $38,980 | Annual | 1,190 |
| Pipeline Transportation | 486000 | $97,060 | Annual | 140 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas | 486200 | $96,890 | Annual | 140 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | 488000 | $38,420 | Annual | 390 |
| Support Activities for Rail Transportation | 488200 | $38,400 | Annual | 330 |
| Support Activities for Road Transportation | 488400 | $42,860 | Annual | 40 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493000 | $49,770 | Annual | 160 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493100 | $49,770 | Annual | 160 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 53 | $49,830 | Annual | 6,960 |
| Real Estate | 531000 | $48,000 | Annual | 3,940 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | 532000 | $50,850 | Annual | 3,020 |
| Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) | 5320A1 | $50,850 | Annual | 3,020 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 | $48,320 | Annual | 8,500 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541000 | $48,320 | Annual | 8,500 |
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | 541200 | $39,470 | Annual | 170 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 541300 | $48,100 | Annual | 4,910 |
| Specialized Design Services | 541400 | $50,080 | Annual | 170 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 541600 | $46,830 | Annual | 1,830 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | 541800 | $48,600 | Annual | 220 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541900 | $61,830 | Annual | 1,140 |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | 561700 | $45,700 | Annual | 13,890 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services | 562000 | $50,310 | Annual | 10,720 |
| Waste Collection | 562100 | $45,330 | Annual | 230 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | 562200 | $52,600 | Annual | 150 |
| Remediation and Other Waste Management Services | 562900 | $50,730 | Annual | 10,340 |
| Repair and Maintenance | 811000 | $46,580 | Annual | 1,450 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | 811300 | $48,220 | Annual | 970 |
| Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | 811400 | $43,470 | Annual | 460 |
Industry estimates are national. Do not combine an industry median with a local percentile to invent an industry-specific local rate.
Which metros publish the highest and lowest medians?
This ranking uses the May 2025 annual median for Construction Laborers. It is not adjusted for living costs. A metro is a BLS statistical area, not just the city limits. Top-coded or suppressed medians are not ranked.
| Metro | Median | Employment | Location quotient | Trade median / all-occupations median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vineland, NJ | $83,680 | 440 | 1 | 1.74 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $79,760 | 630 | 1.22 | 1.38 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $77,960 | 3,040 | 0.97 | 1.36 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $72,610 | 11,620 | 0.69 | 0.98 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $71,920 | 960 | 0.57 | 1.13 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $68,470 | 4,420 | 0.55 | 0.81 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $64,500 | 8,670 | 0.92 | 1.29 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $63,420 | 11,580 | 0.61 | 0.95 |
| Peoria, IL | $62,960 | 1,020 | 0.87 | 1.27 |
| Springfield, MA | $62,660 | 880 | 0.62 | 1.21 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $33,970 | 240 | 0.77 | 0.80 |
| Laredo, TX | $33,740 | 400 | 0.52 | 0.91 |
| Gadsden, AL | $32,900 | 280 | 1.18 | 0.90 |
| Dothan, AL | $32,000 | 600 | 1.4 | 0.84 |
| Guayama, PR | $27,470 | 90 | 1.05 | 1.09 |
| Arecibo, PR | $26,530 | 350 | 1.43 | 1.02 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $24,270 | 7,060 | 1.45 | 0.82 |
| Aguadilla, PR | $24,250 | 620 | 1.81 | 0.92 |
| Mayaguez, PR | $23,820 | 500 | 1.37 | 0.94 |
| Ponce, PR | $23,510 | 660 | 1.47 | 0.87 |
The wage ratio is simple arithmetic: this occupation's median divided by the all-occupations median in the same area and unit. It is not a cost-of-living measure. Location quotient describes the concentration of employment, not relative pay. Neither predicts what a particular candidate will accept.
What do these published wages mean for an offer?
Skilled Trades Headhunters reads the May 2025 figures for Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) as an offer reference, not a quote for a particular candidate. For Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger), the published median for SOC 47-2061, Construction Laborers, is $47,120 per year. The middle half of the Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) wage distribution runs from $38,620 to $59,740, a width of $21,120 per year; that spread shows how much published pay varies within the occupation and area, without assigning experience levels.
For the national Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) comparison used for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ reports $61,270 per year while Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX reports $41,350 per year; these are the largest-employment metros with published medians for the occupation, rather than neighboring places to a national estimate. The United States Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger pools markets with different work scopes and schedules, so use the area table before setting a local offer.
The highest published medians among the selected national industry rows for Construction Laborers, read alongside Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger), are Pipeline Transportation at $97,060 per year (NAICS 486000); Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas at $96,890 per year (NAICS 486200); Natural Gas Distribution at $81,470 per year (NAICS 221200). Those Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) industry comparisons are national cross-sections, not local industry estimates; BLS does not give us a metro-by-industry wage cut here, and overlapping industry groups should not be added together.
The Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) median was $46,730 per year in May 2024, compared with $47,120 in May 2025, a published difference of $390. That Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) comparison is between separate BLS releases, not the raise paid to the same workers or a projection of next year's offer. Read the $46,730 and $47,120 Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) estimates with both dates visible, because the employers and workers represented by the survey can change.
Before using $47,120 per year from Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) to calibrate an offer, separate on-call duties, overtime, travel reimbursement, tool replacement and any truck allowance separately; prevailing wage and union requirements must be checked against the actual assignment. The Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) BLS comparison measures straight-time gross wages, including commissions and production bonuses, but excludes overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. A candidate's take-home pay and the employer's total cost for Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) can therefore differ from the median without either number being an error.
The mapping for Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) is broader: BLS groups Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger within Construction Laborers; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately. For a Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) opening, establish the equipment, license requirements and responsibility before deciding which people the pay range should attract. A broader occupation can combine jobs that a Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) buyer would screen separately, which is why the badge and SOC remain beside the figures.
Questions about this occupation and area
What does the middle-half band tell a Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) buyer?
Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) has a published middle-half band of $38,620 to $59,740, a width of $21,120 per year, with median $47,120. An offer inside that Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) band is not automatically competitive for every scope; match the required work and the separate pay terms first.
Which areas should I compare before hiring Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger)?
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX are the largest-employment comparison markets used for Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger). Comparing those Construction Laborers tables with the $47,120 Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) median does not measure commuting costs or predict what a particular applicant will accept.
Are the industry figures local to Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger)?
Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) uses national industry rows for SOC 47-2061, not local sector-specific wages. Pipeline Transportation leads the selected sortable rows at $97,060 per year, but that national industry figure is not a quoted offer for Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger).
What changed between the releases for Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger)?
Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) moved from $46,730 in May 2024 to $47,120 in May 2025. These Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) in National (reference for Construction Laborer / Certified Flagger) published medians do not describe an individual raise or establish a future wage trend.
What changed since May 2024
SOC 47-2061. Published annual median: $46,730 (May 2024) and $47,120 (May 2025). These are two BLS releases, not a projection.