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Public Works Laborer Salary in the United States

How much does a Public Works Laborer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Works Laborer in the United States is $44,612 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $53,767
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,303 to $49,404
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,291
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $41,303 10% $38,291 90% $53,767 75% $49,404 $44,612 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Public Works Laborer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $49,404 $4,117 $950 $24
Average $44,612 $3,718 $858 $21
25th Percentile $41,303 $3,442 $794 $20
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Key Factors That Influence Public Works Laborer Salaries

A Public Works 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 Public Works Laborer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Public Works 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): $44,749
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $45,301
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $47,143
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $47,394
  • Expert (over 8 years): $47,813
Levels Salary
Entry Level Public Works Laborer$44,749
Intermediate Level Public Works Laborer$45,301
Senior Level Public Works Laborer$47,143
Specialist Level Public Works Laborer$47,394
Expert Level Public Works Laborer$47,813
$44,749 0 yr
$45,301 < 2 yrs
$47,143 2-4 yrs
$47,394 5-8 yrs
$47,813 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Public Works Laborer 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 Public Works Laborers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $49,394.
  • California: $49,207.
  • Massachusetts: $48,551.

Top Paying Cities for Public Works 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: $56,269
  • San Francisco: $55,653
  • Oakland: $54,480

What Skills Can Increase a Public Works 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 Public Works 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
 $53,980
21%
Hydraulics
 $50,411
13%
Presentation
 $47,734
7%
Packaging
 $47,734
7%
Leadership
 $47,288
6%
Communicates Effectively
 $46,842
5%
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Public Works Laborer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Public Works 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, Public Works Laborer positions in Healthcare or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Public Works Laborer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Public Works Laborer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$62,456$30.040%
Aerospace & Defense$60,226$29.035%
Biotechnology$57,995$28.030%
Financial Services$55,764$27.025%
Insurance$53,534$26.020%

How Education impacts a Public Works Laborer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Public Works 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 Public Works Laborer with a No Diploma is between $32,956 and $35,920).

Public Works Laborer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Public Works 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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Public Works Laborer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Public Works 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$41,303
Average $44,612/year
$49,404
$3,442
Average $3,718/month
$4,117
$794
Average $858/week
$950
$20
Average $21/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,404 $4,117 $950 $24
Average $44,612 $3,718 $858 $21
25th Percentile $41,303 $3,442 $794 $20

Salaries of jobs related to Public Works Laborer

Salary Trends for Public Works Laborer

Salaries for a Public Works Laborer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $48,316 in 2023 to around $48,351 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Public Works Laborer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Public Works Laborer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$48,316
2024
$48,535
2025
$48,351
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $48,316
2024 $48,535
2025 $48,351
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Public Works Laborer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Public Works Laborer

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

Find Your Next Public Works Laborer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Public Works Laborer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

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FAQ about Public Works Laborer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Public Works Laborer?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Public Works 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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