Construction Laborer Jobs in Phoenix, AZ
Construction laborers in Phoenix earn a local median of about $22.56 an hour, and Valley contractors from employee-owned Sundt to Mortenson are hiring helpers, concrete laborers and pipelayers right now. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to start a construction career.
Current construction laborer Openings in Phoenix, AZ
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Construction Laborer Work in Phoenix
The largest construction job in the Valley is TSMC Arizona's semiconductor campus at I-17 and Loop 303 in north Phoenix, a project the company says will support tens of thousands of construction and supplier jobs as it builds out a planned 12 facilities. Around it, general contractors keep laborers moving between industrial sites, pipelines and public works, with much of the heavy civil and pipeline work run out of contractor yards in Tempe.
Laborer work here is shaped by the heat. Crews on 12-hour shifts pour concrete, lay pipe and dig trenches through summers that routinely pass 110 degrees, and the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health has run a State Emphasis Program on heat hazards since April 2026 that targets construction sites. The state's Workplace Heat Safety Task Force recommended water, shade, rest and acclimatization as guidelines, so ask about a contractor's heat plan at the interview.
Top Phoenix Employers Hiring Construction Laborers
These Phoenix-area contractors have laborer openings posted on their own career sites:
- Sundt Construction - the employee-owned general contractor hires laborer helpers, concrete laborers and pipelayers for Phoenix and Mesa projects.
- Granite Construction - the heavy civil contractor hires pipelayers for its Phoenix-area crews out of Tempe.
- Mortenson - the builder's Phoenix office hires union-trained laborers and carpenter apprentices for large commercial and data center work.
- Groundworks - the foundation repair company hires installers who dig, trench and work in crawl spaces on Valley homes.
- BrightView Landscapes - the landscape contractor hires landscape construction laborers for Phoenix installation crews.
Construction Laborer Salaries in Phoenix
- Entry level: about $18 to $20 an hour for helpers and new general laborers.
- Experienced: roughly $22 to $25 an hour for concrete laborers, pipelayers and skilled helpers.
- Senior: $25 to $30 an hour and up for lead laborers and foremen.
These are estimates based on 2025 federal wage data for the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro, where the median is $22.56 an hour. Pay rises with a specialty such as pipe laying or concrete, with union apprenticeship steps, and with the long shifts common on industrial jobs. For comparison, the City of Phoenix's street maintenance apprenticeship starts at $21.97 an hour and requires a Class A CDL, though it is not taking applications right now.
How to Become a Construction Laborer in Phoenix
Arizona has no license for construction laborers. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors licenses contracting businesses, and state law exempts employees who are paid wages. Helper roles are the usual way in; Sundt lists NCCER Core or a high school diploma as preferred and one to three years of experience for skilled laborer posts. Arizona does not require OSHA 10 by law, but the Arizona chapter of the Associated General Contractors notes it is often required on public works and large commercial sites. For structured training, the Laborers Training School at the Jon P. Preciado Training Center, 1202 N 57th Ave in west Phoenix, runs the LIUNA apprenticeship; the AZAGC apprenticeship trust on West Adams Street offers a registered Construction Craft Laborer program; and Mesa Community College's Southern and Dobson campus and South Mountain Community College offer a Construction Technology degree.
What the Job Involves
Construction laborers prepare and clean job sites, dig and backfill trenches, set and strip concrete forms, place and finish concrete alongside finishers, lay and grade pipe, load and unload materials, run compactors and small power tools, and direct traffic around equipment. Helpers support skilled trades by staging materials and keeping work areas safe.
Skills Employers Look For
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and work long outdoor shifts
- OSHA 10 or NCCER Core training
- Safe use of hand and power tools, compactors and saws
- Reading grade stakes and following a foreman's plan
- Heat awareness and steady attendance
- A valid driver's license, required for some crews
Career Path and Advancement
Many Phoenix laborers start as helpers, then pick up a specialty such as concrete, pipe laying or form setting within a year or two. From there the path runs to lead laborer and laborer foreman, as at Mortenson, or into a trade apprenticeship in carpentry, electrical or HVAC. Some move into equipment operation, and experienced foremen can step up to superintendent on the Valley's large industrial and public projects.
Related Careers in Phoenix
If construction work interests you, these related Phoenix guides are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a construction laborer in Phoenix?
No. Arizona licenses contracting businesses through the Registrar of Contractors, and employees who work for wages do not need their own license. Some contractors ask for OSHA 10 or NCCER Core training, and union jobs may require apprenticeship training.
How much do construction laborers make in Phoenix?
The median in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro is about $22.56 an hour, or roughly $46,900 a year, based on 2025 federal wage data. New helpers usually start around $18 to $20, and the top 10 percent earn close to $30 an hour.
Do I need OSHA 10 to work construction in Arizona?
Arizona law does not require it, but many contractors do, and it is often required on public works and larger commercial sites. EVIT, West-MEC and the AZAGC all offer OSHA 10 as part of their construction training.
What are the heat rules for construction workers in Phoenix?
Arizona has no binding state heat standard, but since April 2026 the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health has run a State Emphasis Program on heat hazards that covers construction. It can cite employers under the state's general duty clause, so expect water, shade and rest breaks on well-run sites.
How do I join the Laborers union apprenticeship in Phoenix?
Apply online through the Laborers Training School, which is based at the Jon P. Preciado Training Center on North 57th Avenue. Applicants must be 18 or older and are placed on a list for the apprenticeship entry assessment. Graduates join LIUNA Local 1184, which covers Arizona.
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