Across U.S. metros, paving equipment operators typically earn $3,070 more a year than construction laborers (7%). In the 151 metros where BLS publishes both, construction laborers earn more in 28 and paving equipment operators in 123.
| Construction Laborer | Paving Equipment Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $46,850 | $49,920 |
| Lowest metro median | $23,510 | $30,190 |
| Highest metro median | $83,680 | $126,640 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +7.3% | -0.9% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 120,000 | 3,100 |
| 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 | 19 |
| Metros with pay data | 391 | 151 |
On safety, construction laborers report more injuries that cause missed work (218 vs. 19 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 paving equipment operators the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where paving 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 6 states and paving equipment operators in 44. The gap favors construction laborers most in New Jersey ($13,560) and paving equipment operators most in District of Columbia ($41,260).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Sitting: rarely for construction laborers, sometimes for paving equipment operators. Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles: occasionally for construction laborers, occasionally for paving equipment operators.
| Construction Laborer | Paving Equipment Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Very often | Very often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Very often | Often |
| Working at heights | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| 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.
Paving Equipment Operator
Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.
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