Construction Laborer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Construction Laborers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $49,980 a year ($24.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,370 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $47,120. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $48,490. There are 8.7 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| 25th percentile | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Median | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| 75th percentile | $60,130 | $28.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,370 | $34.79 |
| Average (mean) | $54,000 | $25.96 |
Half of construction laborers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,165 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,082.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,922.31 |
| Weekly | $961.15 |
| Hourly | $24.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Construction Laborer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $54,380 | 1,320 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $49,950 | 710 |
| Ames, IA | $49,810 | 600 |
| Dubuque, IA | $48,800 | 500 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,670 | 990 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,630 | 560 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,300 | 3,990 |
| Iowa City, IA | $47,940 | 800 |
Highest-paying states for construction laborers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,110 |
| New Jersey | $64,060 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 |
| Illinois | $60,690 |
| California | $60,270 |
| Minnesota | $60,260 |
| Connecticut | $58,290 |
| Alaska | $58,060 |
| Washington | $57,720 |
| Rhode Island | $57,240 |
See Construction Laborer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Carpenter | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Roofer | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Glazier | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Taper | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $63,200 | $30.39 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for construction laborers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $49,980 a year, or $24.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of construction laborers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $72,370 a year. The top 25% earn $60,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,080 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $47,160 or less.
How many construction laborers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 3,510 construction laborers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.