Free tool
Construction Labor Rates by State and Trade
Pick your state and trade to see typical hourly wages, then see what you may need to bill per hour once burden, overhead and profit are added.
What to bill per hour
Billing rate = wage × (1 + burden) × (1 + overhead) × (1 + profit). The wage fills in with the typical rate; change it to what you actually pay.
National hourly wages by trade
Approximate U.S. hourly wages. The billing rate column uses the typical wage with 28% burden, 15% overhead and 10% profit.
| Trade | Low | Typical | High | Bill rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpentry | $18 | $26 | $43 | $42 |
| Electrical | $19 | $30 | $49 | $49 |
| Plumbing | $19 | $31 | $51 | $50 |
| HVAC | $18 | $26 | $42 | $42 |
| Painting | $16 | $23 | $34 | $37 |
| Drywall | $18 | $25 | $40 | $40 |
| Flooring | $16 | $22 | $36 | $36 |
| Tile & stone | $18 | $24 | $40 | $39 |
| Concrete | $17 | $24 | $38 | $39 |
| Masonry | $20 | $28 | $44 | $45 |
| Roofing | $16 | $23 | $38 | $37 |
| Insulation | $16 | $22 | $38 | $36 |
| Gutters / sheet metal | $17 | $27 | $45 | $44 |
| Fencing | $15 | $20 | $31 | $32 |
| Landscaping | $13 | $18 | $26 | $29 |
| General labor | $15 | $22 | $36 | $36 |
How to use these numbers
- Start with the typical wage for your trade and state.
- Adjust for your area: big metro areas often pay more than the state average.
- Add your labor burden: payroll taxes, workers' comp, unemployment insurance and benefits.
- Add your overhead and profit to get your billing rate.
- Compare it to what jobs in your area actually sell for.
These are approximate wages based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, adjusted by state. They are guidance, not a quote. See the BLS wage data for official figures.
Common questions
Where do these labor rates come from?
They are approximate hourly wages based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics) for each trade, adjusted for each state with a construction wage index. They are a starting point, not a quote. Check local wages before you set your rate.
What is the difference between a wage and a billing rate?
The wage is what the worker earns. The billing rate is what you charge the customer per hour. It has to cover the wage, labor burden such as payroll taxes and insurance, your overhead, and your profit.
What is labor burden?
Labor burden is the extra cost of an employee on top of their wage: payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and any benefits. Many contractors figure somewhere around 20% to 35%, but it depends on your state, your trade and what you offer.
Is this tool free?
Yes. It runs in your browser, and nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.
This tool is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Check your own costs and local rates.