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General Laborer Salary in the United States

How much does a General Laborer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Laborer in the United States is $44,097 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a General Laborer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $54,530
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,100 to $49,558
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,371
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence General Laborer Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects General Laborer Salaries?

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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $43,560
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $44,097
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $45,890
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $46,135
  • Expert (over 8 years): $46,542
Levels Salary
Entry Level General Laborer$43,560
Intermediate Level General Laborer$44,097
Senior Level General Laborer$45,890
Specialist Level General Laborer$46,135
Expert Level General Laborer$46,542
View as Graph

How Do General Laborers Salaries Vary from State to State?

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:
  • District of Columbia: $48,824.
  • California: $48,639.
  • Massachusetts: $47,991.

Top Paying Cities for General Laborer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $55,620
  • San Francisco: $55,011
  • Oakland: $53,851

What Skills Can Increase a General Laborer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.76% Job Postings): 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 (Mentioned in 3.24% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 2.59% Job Postings): 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.76%
Packaging 3.24%
Work Ethic 2.59%
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What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a General Laborer's salary.

  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Hydraulics: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scheduling $53,357
21%
Hydraulics $49,830
13%
Presentation $47,184
7%
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General Laborer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

General Laborer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $49,364. While startup companies pay approximate $41,761.

General Laborer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $41,761
Growth Stage 51~500 $44,167
Established 501~5000 $47,670
Enterprise 5000+ $49,364

General Laborer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Laborer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, General Laborer positions in Healthcare or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Laborer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Laborer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$61,736$30.040%
Aerospace & Defense$59,531$29.035%
Biotechnology$57,326$28.030%
Financial Services$55,121$27.025%
Insurance$52,916$25.020%

How Education impacts an General Laborer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Laborer enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an General Laborer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $34,400 and $37,245.

General Laborer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Laborer
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%
View as Graph

General Laborer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 August 01, 2026
$41,100
Average $44,097/year
$49,558
$3,425
Average $3,675/month
$4,130
$790
Average $848/week
$953
$20
Average $21/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,558 $4,130 $953 $24
Average $44,097 $3,675 $848 $21
25th Percentile $41,100 $3,425 $790 $20

General Laborer Salary Growth & Career Path

General Laborer

Next Role

For a General Laborer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the General Laborer, Sr. role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $48,999 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.

Most common benefits for General Laborer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for General Laborer

Here are companies hiring for General Laborer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about General Laborer

1. Where can a General Laborer earn the most?

A General Laborer's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a General Laborer earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a General Laborer is $55,620.

2. What is the highest pay for General Laborer?

The highest pay for General Laborer is $54,530.

3. What is the lowest pay for General Laborer?

The lowest pay for General Laborer is $38,371.

4. What are the responsibilities of General Laborer?

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for General Laborer?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for General Laborer roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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