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General Laborer Salary in the United States

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

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Laborer in the United States is $44,094 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): $54,512
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,093 to $49,547
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,361
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View as table View as graph 25% $41,093 10% $38,361 90% $54,512 75% $49,547 $44,094 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

General Laborer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $49,547 $4,129 $953 $24
Average $44,094 $3,675 $848 $21
25th Percentile $41,093 $3,424 $790 $20
Check out General Laborer Job Openings in the United States
General Laborer

Nesco Resource - Perrysburg, OH

General Laborer

Nesco Resource - Niles, OH

General Laborer

OmniSource - Toledo, OH

General Laborer

Greif - Dayton, OH

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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): $43,557
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $44,094
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $45,885
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $46,129
  • Expert (over 8 years): $46,536
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
$43,557 0 yr
$44,094 < 2 yrs
$45,885 2-4 yrs
$46,129 5-8 yrs
$46,536 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for General Laborers

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: $55,616
  • San Francisco: $55,007
  • Oakland: $53,848

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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.76%
Packaging 3.24%
Work Ethic 2.59%
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
$53,354
21%
Hydraulics
$49,826
13%
Presentation
$47,181
7%
Packaging
$47,181
7%
Leadership
$46,740
6%
Communicates Effectively
$46,299
5%
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How Education impacts a General Laborer's Salary?

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

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%
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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 May 01, 2026

General Laborer Salary Growth & Career Path

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 $48,994 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.

Salary Trends for General Laborer

Salaries 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, .

Average Annual Salary of General Laborer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$47,032
2024
$47,245
2025
$47,066
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $47,032
2024 $47,245
2025 $47,066
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for General Laborer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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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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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current General Laborer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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 $55,616.

2. What is the highest pay for General Laborer?

The highest pay for General Laborer is $54,512.

3. What is the lowest pay for General Laborer?

The lowest pay for General Laborer is $38,361.

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.

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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