How to become a construction worker

1. 1Get physically ready and finish high school if you can

   Time: High schoolSources 1

   No diploma is legally required, but some employers prefer one, and trade apprenticeships often ask for it. Algebra and geometry help with measuring and grades, and career and technical classes in construction or welding give you a head start. The job means lifting heavy materials and working all day outdoors, so build stamina. A valid driver's license and reliable transportation matter because jobsites move.

2. 2Complete OSHA 10-hour Construction training

   Time: 10 hours (1-2 days)Cost: Varies by trainerSources 3, 1, 8

   OSHA's Outreach Training Program offers a voluntary 10-hour construction course aimed at entry-level workers, taught by OSHA-authorized trainers. It covers fall protection, trenching, electrical hazards, struck-by hazards and protective equipment. Many contractors require the card before your first day, and OSHA says construction cards do not expire, though some employers ask for refresher training. Supervisors and workers with safety duties take the 30-hour course.

3. 3Get hired as a laborer or apply for an apprenticeship

   Time: Weeks to a few monthsSources 4, 6

   Many contractors hire entry-level laborers directly, and staffing agencies place workers on short projects. For structured training, apply to a construction craft laborer apprenticeship through a local union training center or contractor program. These registered programs pay you a rising share of the full laborer wage as you log hours, combining jobsite work with classroom and hands-on training in areas such as concrete, pipe, scaffolding and demolition.

4. 4Learn on the job

   Time: 6 months-2 yearsCost: Paid workSources 1, 4

   New laborers usually start by shadowing experienced workers and doing cleanup and material handling, then move on to running equipment and assisting trades. The apprenticeship standard calls for 4,000 to 5,100 hours of on-the-job learning, about two years. Ask to work on different jobs, such as concrete, utilities, highway and demolition, to learn the full range of skills.

5. 5Add specialty skills and certifications

   Time: Days to weeks per courseCost: Varies; often employer-paidSources 1

   BLS notes that optional certifications in tasks such as rigging or scaffolding show you can handle more complex work. Laborers also train for confined-space entry, hazardous materials and asbestos abatement, traffic flagging, and pipe laser operation. These skills open better-paying assignments, and some, such as hazardous materials removal, have their own training requirements.

6. 6Move up to lead hand, foreman or a trade

   Time: Several yearsSources 1

   Experienced laborers can become crew leads and foremen who run a crew and coordinate with superintendents. Others move into a skilled trade through an apprenticeship, such as carpentry, plumbing or operating heavy equipment. Some start their own small contracting business. Construction managers often started in the field, though most now also have a degree in construction management or a related field.

Programs, tuition and graduates’ earnings

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (most recent cohorts, released 2026-10-15). Scorecard groups programs by 4-digit field, so a row can include related programs. Tuition is the median published undergraduate tuition and fees of the colleges offering the program (shown only for undergraduate credentials); debt is the median of programs’ median federal loan debt at completion; earnings are the national median for the field and credential four years after completion.

Requirements differ by state. Check your state’s rules in the CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. Department of Labor) before you enroll.

Physical stamina and strength

Laborers lift block, pipe and bags of concrete, dig and stand for full shifts, often in heat or cold.

Safety awareness

Trenches, scaffolds, moving equipment and traffic are where most injuries happen, and spotting a hazard before it hurts someone is part of the job.

Running tools and equipment

Jackhammers, plate compactors, saws and mixers do much of the work, and laborers are also expected to keep them clean and running.

Basic math and measuring

Laying out forms, checking grade and cutting materials to length all depend on reading a tape and doing quick calculations.

Teamwork and following directions

Laborers work alongside several trades and take direction from foremen, so a crew moves only as fast as its communication.

O*NET 31.0 rates these skills as most important for the occupation: speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, critical thinking, monitoring.

Training cost

$0–$4.7K

Before financial aid

Time

About 2 years to be fully skilled (on-the-job training or an apprenticeship)

Typical path

Median pay

$47,120

All US jobs: $50,980

Payback once qualified

No premium

Pay above the all-jobs median vs. cost

Low: $0 for workers trained on the job or in a registered apprenticeship, where apprentices are paid while they learn. High: 1 year x College Scorecard median public in-state tuition for construction trades certificate programs, $4,723. Not included: OSHA 10-hour course fees, which vary by trainer and are often paid by employers, work boots and personal tools.

Rough guide only: ignores taxes, aid, interest and earnings given up during training. How we calculate it.

• Carpenter$60,580 median

  Laborers who work around framing and formwork can enter a carpentry apprenticeship, a multiyear program of paid training and classroom work.

• Plumber$63,800 median

  Laborers on utility and pipe crews can move into a plumbing or pipefitting apprenticeship and later earn a state plumbing license.

• Crane operator$68,080 median

  Laborers who learn rigging and signaling can train as equipment or crane operators, which involves formal operator training and testing.

• Construction manager$114,990 median

  Field experience helps, but most construction managers also earn a bachelor's degree in construction management or a related field.

• Electrician$63,190 median

  Helpers and laborers can enter an electrical apprenticeship, which typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent.