As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a General Laborer in the United States is $21, which translates to an annual salary of about $44,094.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A General Laborer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a General Laborer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level General Laborer | $43,557 |
| Intermediate Level General Laborer | $44,094 |
| Senior Level General Laborer | $45,885 |
| Specialist Level General Laborer | $46,129 |
| Expert Level General Laborer | $46,536 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract General Laborers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 12.76% |
| Packaging | 3.24% |
| Work Ethic | 2.59% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Scheduling
|
$53,354 |
21%
|
|
Hydraulics
|
$49,826 |
13%
|
|
Presentation
|
$47,181 |
7%
|
|
Packaging
|
$47,181 |
7%
|
|
Leadership
|
$46,740 |
6%
|
|
Communicates Effectively
|
$46,299 |
5%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Laborers enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a General Laborer with a No Diploma is between $32,956 and $35,920).
General Laborer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 8.0% |
| High School | 74.6% |
| Associates | 7.5% |
| Bachelors | 8.0% |
| Masters | 1.9% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a General Laborer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 01, 2026Salaries for a General Laborer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $47,032 in 2023 to around $47,066 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of General Laborer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $47,032 |
| 2024 | $47,245 |
| 2025 | $47,066 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for General Laborer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Performs general manual labor tasks including loading, unloading, lifting, digging, and moving materials. Operates a variety of tools to complete assignments according to internal and external policies and regulations. Assembles and disassembles machines, tools, and other work-related equipment. Assists engineers and a variety of other functions with manual labor tasks as needed. May require a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Customer Service: Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
Packaging: Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
Work Ethic: A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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