Across U.S. metros, heavy equipment operators typically earn $12,820 more a year than construction laborers (27%). In the 390 metros where BLS publishes both, construction laborers earn more in 5 and heavy equipment operators in 385.
| Construction Laborer | Heavy Equipment Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $46,850 | $59,670 |
| Lowest metro median | $23,510 | $27,770 |
| Highest metro median | $83,680 | $124,990 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +7.3% | +4.6% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 120,000 | 39,200 |
| Self-employed | 27% | 2% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Short-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 218 | 78 |
| Metros with pay data | 391 | 391 |
On safety, construction laborers report more injuries that cause missed work (218 vs. 78 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where construction laborers out-earn heavy equipment operators the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where heavy equipment operators out-earn construction laborers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, construction laborers earn more in 0 states and heavy equipment operators in 51. The gap favors heavy equipment operators most in Missouri ($3,810) and heavy equipment operators most in Hawaii ($38,750).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Sitting: rarely for construction laborers, sometimes for heavy equipment operators. Cramped spaces and awkward positions: sometimes for construction laborers, occasionally for heavy equipment operators.
| Construction Laborer | Heavy Equipment Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Very often | Very often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Occasionally | Rarely |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Very often | Often |
| Working at heights | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Occasionally | Rarely |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Sometimes | Occasionally |
| Loud noise | Often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Sometimes | Occasionally |
| Sitting | Rarely | Sometimes |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Construction Laborer
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.
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