Salary guide
Construction Foreman Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What construction foremans earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median construction foreman salary in the U.S. is $79,920 per year, or $38.42 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $53,280, while the top 10% earned more than $128,260.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Construction Foreman pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,280 | $25.62 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $63,400 | $30.48 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $79,920 | $38.42 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $101,460 | $48.78 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $128,260 | $61.66 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $63,400 | $79,920 | $101,460 |
| Per month | $5,283 | $6,660 | $8,455 |
| Every two weeks | $2,438 | $3,074 | $3,902 |
| Per week | $1,219 | $1,537 | $1,951 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects construction foreman pay
- Union versus non-union employment and local wage agreements
- License level (apprentice, journeyworker, master or contractor)
- Overtime, per diem and travel work
- Specialization (industrial, commercial, renewable energy, high voltage)
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a construction foreman
- Get credentialed: OSHA 30, Trade license, First aid and CPR.
- Build specialty experience: Lead crew.
- Move up: roles such as general foreman and superintendent typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Construction Foreman pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of construction foremans to change by +5.0% from 2025–35, faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 67,000 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 47-1011 (“First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Construction Foreman salary FAQ
How much does a construction foreman make per hour?
The median hourly wage for construction foremans was $38.42 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $25.62 and the top 10% earned about $61.66 or more.
How much does a construction foreman make a month?
At the median annual wage of $79,920, that works out to about $6,660 per month before taxes, or about $3,074 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a construction foreman?
New construction foremans often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $53,280 and the 25th percentile was $63,400 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can construction foremans earn more?
Common ways include earning OSHA 30 and Trade license, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as general foreman.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-1011 (First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.
