Locations » California » Trades » Construction Laborer

Construction Laborer Prevailing Wage Rates in California (2026)

Construction Laborers on prevailing wage projects in California are paid $15.64 to $78.09 per hour, with a median total of $74.31 across the 100 determination records listed below. That total is base rate plus fringe benefits; the median base rate is $46.48, and among the 81 records listing a fringe separately the median fringe is $28.61. Rates differ by county, construction type and funding source, so use the row that matches your project.

Lowest listed$15.64per hour, total
Median listed$74.31 median base $46.48 · median fringe $28.61
Highest listed$78.09per hour, total
Records shown100 across 23 counties

Figures above are computed over the 100 hourly records in the table below, which is the first page of a larger set. They are not a statewide average of all construction laborers in California. Most recent determination in this set: May 20, 2026.

How much do construction laborers earn on prevailing wage jobs in California?

Every row below is one wage determination line: a construction laborer classification, in one county, for one construction type, under one funding source. The rate that applies to your project is the row whose county, construction type and funding source all match it — a Highway rate does not apply to a Building project in the same county, and a state determination does not substitute for a federal one.

ClassificationCountyConstruction typeFundingBaseFringeTotal
Laborer: Group 1 Skilled Wrecker (Removing and Salvaging of Sash, Windows, Doors, Plumbing and Electric Fixtures)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresDel-NorteBuilding#federal$16.61$5.96 $22.57
Laborer: Group 2 Semi-skilled Wrecker (Salvaging of Other Building Materials)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresDel-NorteBuilding#federal$16.46$5.96 $22.42
Laborer: Group 3 General Laborer (Includes All Clean-up Work, Loading Lumber, Loading and Burning of Debris)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresDel-NorteBuilding#federal$16.36$5.96 $22.32
Laborer: Gunite Group 1 Nozzle Operator (Including Gun, Pot); GroundDel-NorteBuilding#federal$17.07$5.96 $23.03
Laborer: Gunite Group 2 ReboundDel-NorteBuilding#federal$16.48$5.96 $22.44
Laborer: Gunite Group 3 General LaborerDel-NorteBuilding#federal$17.36$5.96 $23.32
Laborer: Group 1 Skilled Wrecker (Removing and Salvaging of Sash, Windows, Doors, Plumbing and Electric Fixtures)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresHumboldtBuilding#federal$16.61$5.96 $22.57
Laborer: Group 2 Semi-skilled Wrecker (Salvaging of Other Building Materials)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresHumboldtBuilding#federal$16.46$5.96 $22.42
Laborer: Group 3 General Laborer (Includes All Clean-up Work, Loading Lumber, Loading and Burning of Debris)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresHumboldtBuilding#federal$16.36$5.96 $22.32
Laborer: Gunite Group 1 Nozzle Operator (Including Gun, Pot); GroundHumboldtBuilding#federal$17.07$5.96 $23.03
Laborer: Gunite Group 2 ReboundHumboldtBuilding#federal$16.48$5.96 $22.44
Laborer: Gunite Group 3 General LaborerHumboldtBuilding#federal$17.36$5.96 $23.32
Laborer: Group 1 Skilled Wrecker (Removing and Salvaging of Sash, Windows, Doors, Plumbing and Electric Fixtures)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresLakeBuilding#federal$16.61$5.96 $22.57
Laborer: Group 2 Semi-skilled Wrecker (Salvaging of Other Building Materials)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresLakeBuilding#federal$16.46$5.96 $22.42
Laborer: Group 3 General Laborer (Includes All Clean-up Work, Loading Lumber, Loading and Burning of Debris)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresLakeBuilding#federal$16.36$5.96 $22.32
Laborer: Gunite Group 1 Nozzle Operator (Including Gun, Pot); GroundLakeBuilding#federal$17.07$5.96 $23.03
Laborer: Gunite Group 2 ReboundLakeBuilding#federal$16.48$5.96 $22.44
Laborer: Gunite Group 3 General LaborerLakeBuilding#federal$17.36$5.96 $23.32
Laborer: Group 1 Skilled Wrecker (Removing and Salvaging of Sash, Windows, Doors, Plumbing and Electric Fixtures)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresMendocinoBuilding#federal$16.61$5.96 $22.57
Laborer: Group 2 Semi-skilled Wrecker (Salvaging of Other Building Materials)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresMendocinoBuilding#federal$16.46$5.96 $22.42
Laborer: Group 3 General Laborer (Includes All Clean-up Work, Loading Lumber, Loading and Burning of Debris)Wrecking, Buildings and Miscellaneous StructuresMendocinoBuilding#federal$16.36$5.96 $22.32
Laborer: Gunite Group 1 Nozzle Operator (Including Gun, Pot); GroundMendocinoBuilding#federal$17.07$5.96 $23.03
Laborer: Gunite Group 2 ReboundMendocinoBuilding#federal$16.48$5.96 $22.44
Laborer: Gunite Group 3 General LaborerMendocinoBuilding#federal$17.36$5.96 $23.32
Laborer: Common or GeneralDel-NorteResidential#federal$16.97 $16.97
Laborer: Common or GeneralLakeResidential#federal$16.97 $16.97
Laborer: Common or GeneralMendocinoResidential#federal$16.97 $16.97
Laborer: Common or GeneralColusaResidential#federal$15.64 $15.64
Laborer: Common or GeneralGlennResidential#federal$15.64 $15.64
Laborer: Common or GeneralLassenResidential#federal$15.64 $15.64
Laborer: Common or GeneralModocResidential#federal$15.64 $15.64
Laborer: Common or GeneralNevadaResidential#federal$15.64 $15.64
Laborer: Common or GeneralPlumasResidential#federal$15.64 $15.64
Laborer: Common or GeneralSierraResidential#federal$15.64 $15.64
Laborer: Common or GeneralSiskiyouResidential#federal$15.64 $15.64
Laborer: Common or GeneralTehamaResidential#federal$15.64 $15.64
Laborer: Common or GeneralTrinityResidential#federal$15.64 $15.64
Laborer: Common or GeneralAlpineResidential#federal$20.49 $20.49
Laborer: Common or GeneralAmadorResidential#federal$20.49 $20.49
Laborer: Common or GeneralCalaverasResidential#federal$20.49 $20.49
Laborer: Common or GeneralInyoResidential#federal$20.49 $20.49
Laborer: Common or GeneralMariposaResidential#federal$20.49 $20.49
Laborer: Common or GeneralMonoResidential#federal$20.49 $20.49
Laborer: Common or GeneralTuolumneResidential#federal$25.62$14.93 $40.55
Laborer: Common or GeneralHumboldtResidential#federal$16.88$5.96 $22.84
Laborer Group 1: Cleaning and Handling of Panel Forms; Concrete Screeding for Rough Strike-off; Concrete, Water Curing; Demolition Laborer, the Cleaning of Brick If Performed by a Worker Performing Any Other Phase of Demolition Work, and the Cleaning of Lumber; Fire Watcher, Limber, Brush Loader, Piler and Debris Handler; Flag Person; Gas, Oil and/or Water Pipeline Laborer; Laborer, Asphalt-rubber Material Loader; Laborer, General or Construction; Laborer, General Clean-up; Laborer, Landscaping; Laborer, Jetting; Laborer, Temporary Water and Air Lines; Material Hose Operator (Walls, Slabs, Floors and Decks); Plugging, Filling of Shee Bolt Holes; Dry Packing of Concrete; Railroad Maintenance, Repair Track Person and Road Beds; Streetcar and Railroad Construction Track Laborers; Rigging and Signaling; Scaler; Slip Form Raiser; Tar and Mortar; Tool Crib or Tool House Laborer; Traffic Control by Any Method; Window Cleaner; Wire Mesh Pulling - All Concrete Pouring OperationsSan-BernardinoBuilding#federal$46.48$25.95 $72.43
Laborer Group 1: Cleaning and Handling of Panel Forms; Concrete Screeding for Rough Strike-off; Concrete, Water Curing; Demolition Laborer, the Cleaning of Brick If Performed by a Worker Performing Any Other Phase of Demolition Work, and the Cleaning of Lumber; Fire Watcher, Limber, Brush Loader, Piler and Debris Handler; Flag Person; Gas, Oil and/or Water Pipeline Laborer; Laborer, Asphalt-rubber Material Loader; Laborer, General or Construction; Laborer, General Clean-up; Laborer, Landscaping; Laborer, Jetting; Laborer, Temporary Water and Air Lines; Material Hose Operator (Walls, Slabs, Floors and Decks); Plugging, Filling of Shee Bolt Holes; Dry Packing of Concrete; Railroad Maintenance, Repair Track Person and Road Beds; Streetcar and Railroad Construction Track Laborers; Rigging and Signaling; Scaler; Slip Form Raiser; Tar and Mortar; Tool Crib or Tool House Laborer; Traffic Control by Any Method; Window Cleaner; Wire Mesh Pulling - All Concrete Pouring OperationsSan-BernardinoHighway#federal$46.48$25.95 $72.43
Laborer Group 1: Cleaning and Handling of Panel Forms; Concrete Screeding for Rough Strike-off; Concrete, Water Curing; Demolition Laborer, the Cleaning of Brick If Performed by a Worker Performing Any Other Phase of Demolition Work, and the Cleaning of Lumber; Fire Watcher, Limber, Brush Loader, Piler and Debris Handler; Flag Person; Gas, Oil and/or Water Pipeline Laborer; Laborer, Asphalt-rubber Material Loader; Laborer, General or Construction; Laborer, General Clean-up; Laborer, Landscaping; Laborer, Jetting; Laborer, Temporary Water and Air Lines; Material Hose Operator (Walls, Slabs, Floors and Decks); Plugging, Filling of Shee Bolt Holes; Dry Packing of Concrete; Railroad Maintenance, Repair Track Person and Road Beds; Streetcar and Railroad Construction Track Laborers; Rigging and Signaling; Scaler; Slip Form Raiser; Tar and Mortar; Tool Crib or Tool House Laborer; Traffic Control by Any Method; Window Cleaner; Wire Mesh Pulling - All Concrete Pouring OperationsSan-BernardinoHeavy#federal$46.48$25.95 $72.43
Laborer Group 3: Buggymobile Person; Concrete Cutting Torch; Concrete Pile Cutter; Driller, Jackhammer, 2-1/2 Ft. Drill Steel or Longer; Dri-pak-it Machine; Gas, Oil and/or Water Pipeline Wrapper, 6-in. Pipe and Over, by Any Method, Inside and Out; High Scaler (Including Drilling of Same); Hydro Seeder and Similar Type; Impact Wrench Multi-plate; Kettle Person, Pot Person and Workers Applying Asphalt, Lay-kold, Creosote, Lime Caustic and Similar Type Materials (""applying"" Means Applying, Dipping, Brushing or Handling of Such Materials for Pipe Wrapping and Waterproofing); Operator of Pneumatic, Gas, Electric Tools, Vibrating Machine, Pavement Breaker, Air Blasting, Come-alongs, and Similar Mechanical Tools Not Separately Classified Herein; Pipelayer's Backup Person, Coating, Grouting, Making of Joints, Sealing, Caulking, Diapering and Including Rubber Gasket Joints, Pointing and Any and All Other Services; Rock Slinger; Rotary Scarifier or Multiple Head Concrete Chipping Scarifier; Steel Headerboard and Guideline Setter; Tamper, Barko, Wacker and Similar Type; Trenching Machine, Hand-propelledSan-BernardinoHeavy#federal$47.58$25.95 $73.53
Laborer Group 3: Buggymobile Person; Concrete Cutting Torch; Concrete Pile Cutter; Driller, Jackhammer, 2-1/2 Ft. Drill Steel or Longer; Dri-pak-it Machine; Gas, Oil and/or Water Pipeline Wrapper, 6-in. Pipe and Over, by Any Method, Inside and Out; High Scaler (Including Drilling of Same); Hydro Seeder and Similar Type; Impact Wrench Multi-plate; Kettle Person, Pot Person and Workers Applying Asphalt, Lay-kold, Creosote, Lime Caustic and Similar Type Materials (""applying"" Means Applying, Dipping, Brushing or Handling of Such Materials for Pipe Wrapping and Waterproofing); Operator of Pneumatic, Gas, Electric Tools, Vibrating Machine, Pavement Breaker, Air Blasting, Come-alongs, and Similar Mechanical Tools Not Separately Classified Herein; Pipelayer's Backup Person, Coating, Grouting, Making of Joints, Sealing, Caulking, Diapering and Including Rubber Gasket Joints, Pointing and Any and All Other Services; Rock Slinger; Rotary Scarifier or Multiple Head Concrete Chipping Scarifier; Steel Headerboard and Guideline Setter; Tamper, Barko, Wacker and Similar Type; Trenching Machine, Hand-propelledSan-BernardinoHighway#federal$47.58$25.95 $73.53
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AlamedaHeavy#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AlamedaBuilding#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AlamedaHighway#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AlamedaMarine#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AlamedaHeavy#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AlamedaBuilding#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AlamedaHighway#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AlamedaMarine#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 3AlamedaHighway#state$47.58$28.61 $76.19
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 3AlamedaHeavy#state$47.58$28.61 $76.19
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 3AlamedaBuilding#state$47.58$28.61 $76.19
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 3AlamedaMarine#state$47.58$28.61 $76.19
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 4AlamedaMarine#state$49.13$28.61 $77.74
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 4AlamedaHeavy#state$49.13$28.61 $77.74
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 4AlamedaHighway#state$49.13$28.61 $77.74
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 4AlamedaBuilding#state$49.13$28.61 $77.74
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 5AlamedaHighway#state$49.48$28.61 $78.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 5AlamedaBuilding#state$49.48$28.61 $78.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 5AlamedaHeavy#state$49.48$28.61 $78.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 5AlamedaMarine#state$49.48$28.61 $78.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AlpineMarine#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AlpineBuilding#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AlpineHeavy#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AlpineHighway#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AlpineHighway#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AlpineBuilding#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AlpineMarine#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AlpineHeavy#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 3AlpineHeavy#state$47.58$28.61 $76.19
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 3AlpineHighway#state$47.58$28.61 $76.19
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 3AlpineBuilding#state$47.58$28.61 $76.19
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 3AlpineMarine#state$47.58$28.61 $76.19
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 4AlpineMarine#state$49.13$28.61 $77.74
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 4AlpineHighway#state$49.13$28.61 $77.74
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 4AlpineBuilding#state$49.13$28.61 $77.74
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 4AlpineHeavy#state$49.13$28.61 $77.74
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 5AlpineMarine#state$49.48$28.61 $78.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 5AlpineHeavy#state$49.48$28.61 $78.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 5AlpineBuilding#state$49.48$28.61 $78.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 5AlpineHighway#state$49.48$28.61 $78.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AmadorHeavy#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AmadorBuilding#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AmadorMarine#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 1AmadorHighway#state$46.48$28.61 $75.09
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AmadorBuilding#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AmadorMarine#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AmadorHeavy#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 2AmadorHighway#state$47.03$28.61 $75.64
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 3AmadorHighway#state$47.58$28.61 $76.19
Laborer and Related Classifications - Group 3AmadorBuilding#state$47.58$28.61 $76.19

WageFinder holds more construction laborer records for California than fit on this page. Open a county below, or search all California construction laborers.

What does the construction laborer classification cover?

The laborer classification covers general construction work not reserved to a specific trade, and it is almost always the most heavily subdivided entry on a wage determination — common/general, mason tender, pipelayer, flagger, asphalt raker and landscape laborer can all carry different rates on the same document. The "Common or General" rate is the floor, not a universal rate.

Work typically covered

  • Site clearing and cleanup
  • Mason tending
  • Pipelaying
  • Flagging and traffic control
  • Asphalt and concrete support work

Also listed as

  • Laborer: Common or General
  • Mason Tender
  • Pipelayer
  • Flagger

In this California result set the work appears under 14 distinct classification names.

Construction Laborer rates by county in California

Prevailing wage is set county by county. These are the California counties with construction laborer records in the set above — open one to see every classification on that county's determination, not just this trade.

See all California counties →

Other trades in California

Construction Laborer prevailing wage questions

What is the prevailing wage for a construction laborer in California?

Across the 100 federal and state-funded determination records WageFinder lists for construction laborers in California, total prevailing wage runs from $15.64 to $78.09 per hour, median $74.31. There is no single statewide figure: each county's determination sets its own rate, and the same county can carry different rates for Building, Highway, Heavy and Residential work.

Does the construction laborer rate include benefits?

The total prevailing wage shown is the base hourly rate plus the fringe benefit rate. Of the 100 California records on this page, 81 list a fringe amount separately, with a median of $28.61 per hour — roughly 39% of the median total. The rest list no separate fringe, meaning the base rate is the whole obligation. Fringe can be paid as bona fide benefit plan contributions, as cash added to the paycheck, or as a mix of both.

Which California counties have construction laborer rates?

This page lists construction laborer records for 23 counties in California: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, Del-Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Lake, Lassen, Mariposa, and others. Determinations that apply statewide appear under a statewide entry rather than a named county.

How current are these California construction laborer rates?

The most recent determination in this set is dated May 20, 2026. WageFinder re-reads the official sources weekly, but the date that matters for compliance is the determination date on the document itself, which is shown on every wage detail page and links back to the government source.

Running certified payroll against these rates?

Talk to HCM TradeSeal