Concrete Laborer

Career Guide

A Concrete Laborer supports concrete construction work on residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. The role focuses on preparing job sites, handling materials, assisting with pouring and finishing, and maintaining safe, productive work areas.

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Key Responsibilities

Prepare job sites by clearing debris and setting up work areas
Move, load, and stage tools, forms, and materials
Set up and take down concrete forms and temporary supports
Assist with concrete placement using wheelbarrows, chutes, and hoses
Spread and level concrete under direction of a finisher or foreperson
Cut, tie, and place rebar and wire mesh
Operate basic hand tools and power tools used on concrete jobs
Support concrete curing tasks such as covering and moisture control
Direct trucks and equipment during deliveries and pours
Follow safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized site

Top Skills for Success

Physical Stamina

Reliability

Teamwork

Communication

Safety Awareness

Job Site Housekeeping

Hand Tool Use

Power Tool Use

Formwork Setup

Concrete Placement Support

Rebar Handling

Measurement Skills

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Concrete Finisher

Formwork Carpenter

Rebar Installer

Equipment Operator

Construction Foreperson

Transition Opportunities

General Construction Worker

Masonry Worker

Asphalt Laborer

Maintenance Technician

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Concrete Finishing BasicsFormwork ReadingBasic Blueprint ReadingGrade SettingRebar Tying SpeedEquipment SpottingQuality AwarenessWeather Planning

Development SuggestionsBuild skills through on the job coaching, short safety courses, and hands on practice. Ask to rotate tasks during pours, learn layout and grade basics, and document completed projects to show readiness for higher responsibility roles.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level25,000 to 38,000 per year

Mid Level38,000 to 52,000 per year

Senior Level52,000 to 70,000 per year

Growth Trend

Steady demand in many regions, driven by ongoing building, roadwork, and repair projects. Pay and hiring volumes vary by location, union coverage, overtime, and seasonality.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Local concrete contractorsGeneral contractorsCommercial construction firmsResidential buildersRoad and bridge contractorsReady mix concrete companiesPrecast concrete manufacturersMunicipal public works contractors

Industry Sectors

Commercial ConstructionResidential ConstructionInfrastructure ConstructionIndustrial ConstructionPrecast Manufacturing

Recommended Next Steps

Earn a basic construction safety credential

Practice accurate measuring and use of levels on real tasks

Learn concrete curing and finishing basics from a senior finisher

Ask for opportunities to assist with formwork and rebar placement

Track hours, tasks, and projects to support promotion discussions

Explore union apprenticeship options or local trade training programs

Build a simple portfolio with photos and brief descriptions of completed jobs