Career comparison
Construction Laborer vs. Pipelayer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Pipelayers earn more at the median ($49,000 vs. $47,120), while construction laborers usually get to work faster (Days to weeks (on the job) of training). Construction laborers prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job. Pipelayers lay pipe in trenches for water, sewer and storm drain systems.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Construction Laborer | Pipelayer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,120 ($22.66/hr) | $49,000 ($23.56/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,090 – $78,090 | $37,730 – $80,170 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +7.3% (much faster than average) | -3.1% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 120,000 | 2,100 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | Days to weeks (on the job) | A few weeks on the job |
| Key credential | OSHA 10-Hour Construction | Competent person trench training |
| Work setting | Laborers work outdoors in all kinds of weather on construction sites, roadways and demolition projects. | Pipelayers work outdoors in trenches.. |
What each job does
Construction Laborer
- Prepare and clean job sites, removing debris and hazards
- Load, unload and move building materials
- Dig, backfill and compact trenches and foundations
- Mix, pour and spread concrete and asphalt
- Erect and dismantle scaffolding, barricades and forms
Pipelayer
- Grade trenches
- Lay pipe
- Join pipe sections
- Check grade
- Install fittings
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, working outdoors, and teamwork. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose construction laborer if…
- I like physical work and staying active all day
- I don’t mind getting dirty or working in bad weather
- I want to start working right away
Choose pipelayer if…
- I like outdoor work
- I don’t mind mud
- I like teamwork
Still torn? Take the Construction Laborer fit quiz and the Pipelayer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, construction laborer or pipelayer?
Pipelayers earn more at the median: $49,000 versus $47,120 for construction laborers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Construction Laborers typically train faster (Days to weeks (on the job)) than pipelayers (A few weeks on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects construction laborers to grow +7.3% from 2025–35, compared with -3.1% for pipelayers.