What does a Laborer do?

As a Laborer you provide physical labor on a construction site. Under direct supervision, you will be expected to safely operate machinery and be responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. You will assist skilled trades as needed and load and unload deliveries to the work site. In addition, you will maintain a safe job site by removing any hazards.

You could be the ideal candidate if you have a GED or H.S. diploma and some experience as a laborer able to operate a variety of tools and machinery and can lift over 50 pounds and do repetitive movements with little break in between. You must be willing to work in all types of weather including extreme conditions and can pass a drug screen before an offer an be extended.

What responsibilities are common for Laborer jobs?
  • Be at the job site on time
  • Provide assistance on the site as needed
  • Perform care and maintenance of assigned tools
  • Load and unload materials
  • Remove hazards from the job site
  • Assemble scaffolding
  • Perform physical labor on construction sites
  • Clean job sites
What are the typical qualifications for Laborer jobs?
  • 0-2 years of experience as a laborer
  • Must be able to lift 50+ pounds
  • Ability to pass a drug screen
  • Able to do repetitive movements _ bend, lift, in one shift with little break in between
  • Willingness to work a varied schedule each week
  • Able to work in all types of weather include extreme conditions
  • Operate a variety of tools and machinery
  • Must be dependable
  • Must have reliable transportation
EducationBachelor's Degree
Work/Life Balance
3.3 ★
Salary Range--
Career Opportunity
3.2 ★
Avg. Experience8+ years

Laborer Salaries near United Kingdom

Average Base Pay

£26,871 /yr
Not including cash compensation
See More Insights
Not enough salaries reported to show distribution
See More Insights
Glassdoor Estimated Salary

Laborer Career Path

Learn how to become a Laborer, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Laborer
£26,871/yr
Laborer III
£26,433/yr
Lead Laborer
£26,433/yr
Laborer

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
29%
2 - 4
13%
5 - 7
1%
8+
57%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Laborer Insights

Read what Laborer professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
JE Dunn ConstructionJE Dunn Construction
Field Personnel
16 Mar 2022

“Pay was good but not worth what you had to go through to get it!”

Alliance Nationwide ExpositionAlliance Nationwide Exposition
Operations Laborer
29 Aug 2023

“sometimes work long hours but not really a negative when you want to work there with an amazing group of people”

Service King CollisionService King Collision
Paint Prepper
27 May 2023

“i worked 20hrs somedays and made 50k but i was 18 so it was good money then”

Ensign Energy ServicesEnsign Energy Services
Floorhand/Roughneck
14 May 2023

“Work life balance but that’s the same for any camp job and better than others”

ITS ConGlobalITS ConGlobal
Skilled General Laborer
21 Apr 2023

“It was 19 dollars an hour starting pay which was good but not worth it.”

Delphinus EngineeringDelphinus Engineering
Skilled General Laborer
16 Mar 2022

“Decent opportunities to learn a trade not the best option to learn a trade but possible.”

KSSKSS
Homecare Worker
22 Oct 2022

“It is a great to work around the people and the way the stuff are trained.”

RegalRegal
Skilled General Laborer
20 Mar 2023

“Felt like the training was not adequete and left me feeling unequipped to handle situations on my own.”

See More

Laborer Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of laborers

Depending on the industry, during the workday, a labourer may operate machinery, remove debris, build structures, perform landscaping work, use specialised equipment, lay tarmac or concrete, prepare surfaces for building, move or stack items, load and unload transport vessels, and many other physical tasks.

Yes, labourers are always needed. Nearly every industry relies on some form of labour to make it run, whether it's in building its workspace, maintenance, repair and upkeep, landscaping, or moving its products. It's relatively easy to become a labourer because anyone with physical stamina and willingness to work hard can move into this industry.

Though the starting salary for a labourer is on the lower end, at around £23,871 a year, it's possible to advance and become a lead labourer or a supervisor with experience. The higher end of the salary range is around £30,249 a year in the UK.

Yes, working as a labourer is often challenging and physically demanding. Labourers often work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold. Depending on the work, they may be required to lift heavy things, climb ladders, or carry things overhead. Labourers may work on shifts, including early morning hours or overnight.

Related Careers

Packer
£24,004
38% skills overlap
Material Handler
£26,059
38% skills overlap
Forklift Operator
£26,526
50% skills overlap
Warehouse Worker
£24,959
50% skills overlap

Laborer jobs