BLS wage data · May 2025 Skilled trades O*NET-SOC 47-2061 Tax year 2026

Construction Laborer after tax: what $47,120 becomes in every state

Construction laborers are essential to the built environment, working across varied job sites to support infrastructure and development. While the national median annual wage stands at $47,120, this figure represents the midpoint of the industry distribution rather than a universal starting point. Individual earnings often fluctuate based on specific project demands, union agreements, or local seasonal requirements. Understanding how this baseline gross income translates into net pay is a fundamental step for laborers evaluating career opportunities in different regions.

Construction Laborer take-home at $47,120 — strongest and weakest states

Same gross wage everywhere: $47,120 a year. The four states keeping the most and the four keeping the least, ranked by take-home. Rent is the Zillow ZORI metro average for that state and is clearly labelled as a rent figure, not a tax.

State	State tax	Federal	FICA	Take-home / year	Take-home / month	Rent / month	Left after rent
Alaska no state income tax	$0	$3,474	$3,605	$40,041	$3,337	—	—
Florida no state income tax	$0	$3,474	$3,605	$40,041	$3,337	$2,076	$15,129
Nevada no state income tax	$0	$3,474	$3,605	$40,041	$3,337	$1,742	$19,137
New Hampshire no state income tax	$0	$3,474	$3,605	$40,041	$3,337	—	—
South Carolina flat 6.00%	$2,827	$3,474	$3,605	$37,214	$3,101	$1,569	$18,386
Vermont planning estimate	$2,827	$3,474	$3,605	$37,214	$3,101	—	—
District of Columbia planning estimate	$3,063	$3,474	$3,605	$36,978	$3,082	$2,433	$7,782
Oregon planning estimate	$3,298	$3,474	$3,605	$36,743	$3,062	$1,818	$14,927

State income tax on wages is zero in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming — those states share the same take-home on this wage and only differ in what the local rent does to it.

Best and worst states for Construction Laborer

Five states that keep the most of a $47,120 wage and five that keep the least. The full 51-state table follows.

All 51 states →

Highest take-home

State	State tax	Take-home	/ month
1. Alaska	$0	$40,041	$3,337
2. Florida	$0	$40,041	$3,337
3. Nevada	$0	$40,041	$3,337
4. New Hampshire	$0	$40,041	$3,337
5. South Dakota	$0	$40,041	$3,337

Lowest take-home

State	State tax	Take-home	/ month
1. Oregon	$3,298	$36,743	$3,062
2. District of Columbia	$3,063	$36,978	$3,082
3. Vermont	$2,827	$37,214	$3,101
4. South Carolina	$2,827	$37,214	$3,101
5. Minnesota	$2,827	$37,214	$3,101

The gap between Alaska and Oregon is $3,298 a year on an identical $47,120 wage.

Where Construction Laborer pay sits nationally

BLS percentile wages for this occupation, and what each level leaves after 2026 federal, FICA and state tax in the best and the worst state on the page (Alaska and Oregon).

Wage level (BLS national)	Gross / year	Take-home in Alaska	Take-home in Oregon	Difference
10th percentile 'BLS national'	$35,090	$30,375	$27,919	$2,456
25th percentile 'BLS national'	$38,620	$33,212	$30,509	$2,703
Median 'BLS national'	$47,120	$40,041	$36,743	$3,298
75th percentile 'BLS national'	$59,740	$50,181	$45,999	$4,182
90th percentile 'BLS national'	$78,090	$63,766	$58,300	$5,466

Percentile wages are published BLS OEWS values for Construction Laborers; the take-home columns are the same engine used by every AfterTaxLab calculator. About 1,096,780 people work in this occupation nationwide.

How the state line moves this wage

The same $47,120 under different state tax models

The primary driver of variance in a construction laborer's net pay is the state tax policy. While federal tax and FICA remain fixed, state-level obligations can differ greatly. For example, a laborer in Oregon may face a state tax burden of $3,298, while a worker in Alaska pays nothing in state income tax on the same gross wage. These differences create a wide spread in annual take-home pay between states. When comparing job offers, laborers must account for these state-specific deductions to understand their true purchasing power in different markets.

States such as Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming do not levy a state income tax on wages. For construction laborers, this policy means that more of their gross earnings remain in their pockets compared to states with higher income tax rates. This geographic difference can be a critical factor for workers considering relocation for major infrastructure projects. While a higher gross salary might seem appealing, it is the net amount after state taxes that determines the actual funds available for monthly expenses and savings.

All 51 states, ranked for Construction Laborer

Every state and DC, ranked by take-home on the same $47,120 gross wage. Rent is the ZORI metro average for the metros published in that state.

#	State	State tax	Take-home / year	Effective total tax	Rent / month
1	Alaska AK	$0	$40,041	15.0%	—
2	Florida FL	$0	$40,041	15.0%	$2,076
3	Nevada NV	$0	$40,041	15.0%	$1,742
4	New Hampshire NH	$0	$40,041	15.0%	—
5	South Dakota SD	$0	$40,041	15.0%	—
6	Tennessee TN	$0	$40,041	15.0%	$1,607
7	Texas TX	$0	$40,041	15.0%	$1,587
8	Washington WA	$0	$40,041	15.0%	$2,278
9	Wyoming WY	$0	$40,041	15.0%	—
10	California CA	$1,083	$38,958	17.3%	$2,861
11	Arizona AZ	$1,178	$38,863	17.5%	$1,603
12	North Dakota ND	$1,366	$38,675	17.9%	—
13	Louisiana LA	$1,414	$38,627	18.0%	$1,598
14	Ohio OH	$1,414	$38,627	18.0%	$1,499
15	Indiana IN	$1,437	$38,604	18.1%	$1,552
16	Pennsylvania PA	$1,447	$38,594	18.1%	$1,690
17	Iowa IA	$1,791	$38,250	18.8%	—
18	Kentucky KY	$1,885	$38,156	19.0%	$1,348
19	New York NY	$1,987	$38,054	19.2%	$2,200
20	Michigan MI	$2,003	$38,038	19.3%	$1,578
21	North Carolina NC	$2,003	$38,038	19.3%	$1,712
22	Arkansas AR	$2,073	$37,968	19.4%	—
23	Colorado CO	$2,073	$37,968	19.4%	$1,922
24	Delaware DE	$2,120	$37,921	19.5%	—
25	Kansas KS	$2,120	$37,921	19.5%	—
26	Virginia VA	$2,120	$37,921	19.5%	$1,810
27	Utah UT	$2,144	$37,897	19.6%	$1,641
28	Mississippi MS	$2,215	$37,826	19.7%	—
29	Oklahoma OK	$2,238	$37,803	19.8%	$1,385
30	Missouri MO	$2,262	$37,779	19.8%	$1,486
31	West Virginia WV	$2,271	$37,770	19.8%	—
32	New Mexico NM	$2,309	$37,732	19.9%	—
33	Illinois IL	$2,332	$37,709	20.0%	$2,210
34	Alabama AL	$2,356	$37,685	20.0%	$1,433
35	Connecticut CT	$2,356	$37,685	20.0%	$2,462
36	Maryland MD	$2,356	$37,685	20.0%	$1,948
37	Massachusetts MA	$2,356	$37,685	20.0%	$2,599
38	Rhode Island RI	$2,356	$37,685	20.0%	$2,167
39	Wisconsin WI	$2,356	$37,685	20.0%	$1,563
40	Georgia GA	$2,446	$37,595	20.2%	$1,853
41	Nebraska NE	$2,450	$37,591	20.2%	$1,413
42	Maine ME	$2,592	$37,449	20.5%	—
43	New Jersey NJ	$2,592	$37,449	20.5%	—
44	Idaho ID	$2,683	$37,358	20.7%	—
45	Montana MT	$2,780	$37,261	20.9%	—
46	Hawaii HI	$2,827	$37,214	21.0%	$3,020
47	Minnesota MN	$2,827	$37,214	21.0%	$1,719
48	South Carolina SC	$2,827	$37,214	21.0%	$1,569
49	Vermont VT	$2,827	$37,214	21.0%	—
50	District of Columbia DC	$3,063	$36,978	21.5%	$2,433
51	Oregon OR	$3,298	$36,743	22.0%	$1,818

The largest single state tax bill on this wage is in Oregon at $3,298; across the 51 states the average state tax is $1,816. Local city and county taxes, credits and itemised deductions are excluded from every figure.

What this means in practice for Construction Laborer

Evaluating take-home pay requires looking beyond the gross figures offered by employers. Regardless of the job location, workers are subject to standardized federal tax and FICA deductions, which remain constant across all states. However, the geographic location dictates the additional state income tax burden, which significantly shifts the final monthly take-home amount. This guide focuses on these variations, though it should be noted that this information does not constitute tax advice and is intended for general planning purposes only.

In practice, the take-home pay for a construction laborer must be weighed against the local cost of living, particularly housing. Even when an employer offers the same gross wage, the residual income after rent varies drastically. For instance, a worker in the District of Columbia may find that high housing costs, such as the $2,433/month rent, leave only $7,782 remaining for the rest of the year. Conversely, lower rent markets allow for greater financial flexibility, making the local housing index just as important as the state tax rate.

A common mistake when comparing construction jobs is focusing solely on the gross wage while ignoring the impact of state tax and rent. Laborers often find that a higher salary in a high-tax, high-rent state provides less disposable income than a lower salary in a state with no income tax. Before accepting a new position, workers should calculate their net monthly pay and cross-reference it with local housing data. Understanding these variables helps laborers make informed decisions that align with their long-term financial goals.

Construction Laborer pay after tax: common questions

Does the $47,120 median wage apply to every construction laborer?

No, this is the national median wage. It represents the middle point of the BLS distribution, meaning half of the laborers earn more and half earn less. Your actual wage may vary based on your experience, local market demand, and the specific type of construction projects you perform.

Why is my take-home pay different even if the gross salary is the same?

While your federal tax and FICA deductions are identical everywhere, state taxes vary significantly. Some states charge no income tax, while others take a percentage of your wages. This state tax difference is the main reason why the same gross paycheck results in different amounts of money in your bank account.

Are there states where I keep more of my paycheck?

Yes. In states like Florida, Nevada, or Texas, you do not pay state income tax on your earnings. This means your take-home pay is higher compared to a state like Oregon, where you might pay $3,298 in state income tax on that same gross salary.

Are federal taxes and FICA the same for every construction worker?

Yes. Federal income tax and FICA contributions are federal mandates that do not change based on your state of residence. Every laborer earning the same gross wage will have the same federal and FICA deductions taken from their paycheck, regardless of where they work.

How does rent affect my actual earnings?

Rent is often the largest monthly expense for a laborer. Even if you save money on state taxes, high rent can offset those gains. For example, living in the District of Columbia requires a high monthly rent of $2,433, which significantly reduces the amount you have left over annually.

What should I check before moving for a construction job?

Always compare the net take-home pay after accounting for state taxes and typical rent prices in that area. A higher gross wage might be offset by a $3,298 state tax bill or expensive housing. Verify the local cost of living and tax laws before finalizing your career move.

Sources for this page

Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national estimates, May 2025 — series OEUN000000000000047206113 (annual median) and OEUN000000000000047206104 (annual mean), retrieved 2026-09-21 via the BLS Public Data API v2 — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm · Occupation titles: O*NET 29.0 Database — https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html · Take-home figures: AfterTaxLab 2026 engine (/assets/js/tax-2026.js), single filer, no pre-tax contributions · Rents: Zillow Research ZORI (Metro), kamuya açık araştırma dosyası (Aug 2026).

Estimates for planning only — not tax advice. Tax year 2026, single filer, no pre-tax contributions, no city or county tax. Same engine as every AfterTaxLab calculator · methodology.

Construction Laborer after tax: what $47,120 becomes in every state

Construction Laborer take-home at $47,120 — strongest and weakest states

Best and worst states for Construction Laborer

Where Construction Laborer pay sits nationally

The same $47,120 under different state tax models

All 51 states, ranked for Construction Laborer

What this means in practice for Construction Laborer

Construction Laborer pay after tax: common questions

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