What does a construction laborer earn?

The average salary is 34,700 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and region.

What are the gender differences in salary?

Men earn an average of 34,800 SEK, while women earn 31,300 SEK, which means women earn approximately 90% of men's salaries.

What education is required to become a construction laborer?

High school education in construction and civil engineering is recommended, but it is possible to start without formal education.

What is the job market like for construction laborers?

There is currently a surplus of labor, but demand is expected to increase over the next five years.

What tasks does a construction laborer perform?

The work includes heavy lifting, material handling, demolition, cleaning, and assisting skilled workers such as carpenters, painters, and concrete workers. The work often involves simple machinery and tools, outdoors or in raw, unfinished environments. The working environment is characterized by heavy lifting, noise, and sometimes working at heights, requiring good physical condition and safety awareness.

Are there opportunities for further training?

Yes, there are good opportunities for further education and advancement to more qualified roles within the construction industry.

What is the hourly wage for a construction laborer?

The average hourly wage is 209 SEK based on 166 working hours per month.

Heavy workers, construction salary

37 800 SEK

Construction laborers

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

37 200 - 37 800 SEK / month

Bygg & anläggning

Average salary 37 800 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 37 200 - 37 800 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does a construction laborer do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Construction laborer salary – complete overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Heavy workers, construction

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What does a construction laborer do? – Tasks and work environment

A construction laborer works with a wide range of physical tasks at construction sites. The main duties include carrying, loading, and unloading materials, demolishing buildings, cleaning work sites, and assisting tradespeople such as carpenters, painters, and concrete workers. The work often involves simple machinery and tools, and is performed outdoors or in raw, unfinished environments. The work environment is characterized by heavy lifting, noise, and sometimes working at heights, which requires good physical fitness and safety consciousness.

Salary development over time

The salary for construction laborers has experienced steady growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,700 SEK per month, which increased to 34 700 SEK in 2023 and has reached 37 800 SEK in 2024. The total increase over this period amounts to approximately 9.5%, which is slightly above the average for many professions within the construction sector. This positive trend can be explained by increased demand for labor in the construction sector, some shortage of available personnel, and adjustments to meet inflation. Despite the overall salary increase, there are still clear gender differences, and regional variations can also influence salary levels.

Construction laborer salary – complete overview

Average salary: 37 800 SEK/month
Lowest salary: 31,300 SEK/month
Highest salary: 35,200 SEK/month
Hourly wage: 209 SEK/hour
Gender differences: Men 37 800 SEK, women 31,300 SEK (women 0% of men's salary)
Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on region and demand for labor

Education and qualifications

To work as a construction laborer, no formal higher education is required, but a high school diploma with a focus on construction and civil engineering is advantageous. Many learn the trade through practical work and supervision on site. Some employers may require introductory courses in work environment and safety, especially for work on larger construction sites.

High school program: Construction and civil engineering (3 years) is advantageous
Safety training: Mandatory for some workplaces, e.g., lift certificates and safety courses
Practical experience: Apprenticeships or internships provide valuable experience
Prerequisites: Good physical condition and basic understanding of construction work environment
Tips for choosing: Interest in practical work and teamwork facilitates career choice

Many construction laborers quickly gain insight into various roles on the worksite, which can open doors for further education and specialization within the industry. It is common for laborers to progress to more qualified roles, such as machine operators or site supervisors. Practical experience is often a strong asset in such career changes.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Construction laborers are often offered benefits such as contractual insurance, wellness allowances, and work clothing. Many employers also provide extra compensation for inconvenient working hours and opportunities for further training and certifications that increase job security.

Competition and challenges

The labor market for construction laborers currently features a certain surplus of workforce, meaning competition for jobs is relatively high. Nevertheless, demand is expected to increase over the next five years according to the Swedish Public Employment Service, driven by continued high construction activity and large infrastructure projects. Challenges in the profession include the physically demanding work environment, risk of injuries, and irregular working hours. Women are underrepresented and earn less than men, reflecting a challenge for both the industry and individual workers. Additionally, regional differences may result in tougher competition in certain parts of the country.

Tips for those who want to become construction laborers

To succeed as a construction laborer, it is important to have good physical fitness and endurance, as the tasks are often heavy and physically demanding. Being precise and following safety regulations is crucial to avoid accidents and ensure a safe work environment. Teamwork skills are also important, as work is performed in teams where communication plays a significant role. Flexibility and adaptability facilitate handling varying tasks from day to day. Those who are proactive and eager to learn new skills often have better opportunities for development and responsibility. A positive attitude contributes to a good workplace environment and better work results. Showing respect for colleagues and management also makes teamwork smoother in daily operations.

Key facts about construction laborers

Education level: High school recommended, but not mandatory
Work environment: Physically demanding, often outdoors and on construction sites
Typical employment: Full-time or hourly employment
Demand: Expected to increase nationally over five years
Job openings: 379 advertised positions within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a construction laborer, there are opportunities to advance to more specialized roles, such as machine operator, concrete worker, demolition worker, or site supervisor. Practical experience and additional training increase chances for career development within the construction industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the labor market currently has a surplus of workforce, but demand is expected to grow over five years in line with investments in construction and infrastructure projects. Individuals with broad experience and relevant education have the best opportunities to take the next step or switch sectors.

Frequently asked questions about construction laborers

What does a construction laborer earn?
- The average salary is 37 800 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and region.
What are the gender differences in salary?
- Men earn an average of 37 800 SEK, while women earn 31,300 SEK, which means women earn approximately 0% of men's salaries.
What education is required to become a construction laborer?
- High school in construction and civil engineering is recommended, but it is possible to start without formal education.
What is the job market like for construction laborers?
- There is currently a surplus of labor, but demand is expected to increase over the next five years.
What tasks does a construction laborer perform?
- Heavy lifting, material handling, demolition, cleaning, and assisting on construction sites.
Are there opportunities for further training?
- Yes, good opportunities exist for further education and progression to more qualified roles within the industry.
What is the hourly wage for a construction laborer?
- The average hourly wage is 209 SEK based on 166 working hours per month.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-11 07:56:41

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	30300 kr	31300 kr
25-34	36600 kr	37100 kr
35-44	39300 kr	39800 kr
45-54	37800 kr	38300 kr
55-64	37800 kr	38500 kr
Snitt	37200 kr	37800 kr

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	30300 kr	31300 kr
25-34	36600 kr	37100 kr
35-44	39300 kr	39800 kr
45-54	37800 kr	38300 kr
55-64	37800 kr	38500 kr
Snitt	37200 kr	37800 kr

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	30300 kr	31300 kr
25-34	36600 kr	37100 kr
35-44	39300 kr	39800 kr
45-54	37800 kr	38300 kr
55-64	37800 kr	38500 kr
Snitt	37200 kr	37800 kr

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	30400 kr	31200 kr
25-34	36600 kr	37100 kr
35-44	39200 kr	39700 kr
45-54	37900 kr	38300 kr
55-64	37800 kr	38500 kr
Snitt	37200 kr	37800 kr

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	30400 kr	31200 kr
25-34	36600 kr	37100 kr
35-44	39200 kr	39700 kr
45-54	37900 kr	38300 kr
55-64	37800 kr	38500 kr
Snitt	37200 kr	37800 kr

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	30400 kr	31200 kr
25-34	36600 kr	37100 kr
35-44	39200 kr	39700 kr
45-54	37900 kr	38300 kr
55-64	37800 kr	38500 kr
Snitt	37200 kr	37800 kr

* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.

Salary per sector

Salary based on education

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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Heavy workers, construction has the SSYK code 9310, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.