Construction Helpers

At a Glance

Assist bricklayers, carpenters, painters and plasterers, and plumbers
Are entry-level workers
Have low level of social interaction
May work indoors or outdoors (or both)
May only work during warmer months
Train on the job

Career summary

Construction helpers assist experienced trades workers with less skilled tasks.

#No info moved over from wois 4286 Construction Laborers. Number of alt titles in NWOIS Narrative.

#review 3/20/19 lh

Construction helpers are entry-level workers. They assist bricklayers, carpenters, painters and plasterers, and plumbers with a variety of basic tasks. They follow instructions and make few major decisions. They must be familiar with the duties of those they help. They must also be able to use the materials and tools of the trade.

Construction helpers transport the tools and materials needed for a job. At the end of the workday, they collect and store them. Helpers select and hold tools for experienced workers. They may also select materials to be installed, according to instructions or drawings. Helpers often erect scaffolding and other structures to reach high or hard-to-reach places.

Construction helpers also prepare surfaces or materials for installation. For example, helpers mix grout for tile setters and fill cracks in surfaces to be tiled. They cut lumber or hold it in place for carpenters to install. Painters' helpers sand and prepare surfaces to be painted. Plumbers' helpers cut or drill holes in walls where pipes will be installed. They also take apart and remove damaged pipes.

Construction helpers clean work areas when jobs are finished. They clean tools or equipment so they are ready for the next day.

Related careers

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Military careers

Construction Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to construction helpers.

Provide assistance to skilled trades workers.
Collect and transport tools, materials, and other equipment.
Select tools and materials based on instructions or drawings.
Erect scaffolding, braces, and other structures.
Prepare or clean surfaces or materials. May demolish areas that will be rebuilt or remodeled.
Clean work areas, tools, and equipment.
Cut or drill materials to specific sizes, using a variety of tools.
Mix mortar, plaster, paint, and grout, using formulas. Apply mixtures to surfaces.
Help fix broken materials, such as wood, bricks, pipes, or tiles.
Align, move, or position materials into the right spot.
Apply caulk and sealants to surfaces once they have been installed.
Remove damaged materials, such as brick, tile, flooring, or wood.
Smooth and sand surfaces.

Common work activities

Construction helpers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Handle and move objects
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Perform activities that use the whole body
Get information needed to do the job
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Make decisions and solve problems
Identify objects, actions, and events
Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
Evaluate information against standards
Control machines and processes
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Update and use job-related knowledge
Think creatively
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
Coordinate the work and activities of others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, construction helpers:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a medium level of social contact. They get instructions from supervisors, but often work alone.
Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others helpers.
Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of public and other employees.
Communicate mostly by face-to-face discussions and occasionally by telephone.
Usually work as part of a team of helpers and trade workers.

Physical work conditions

Often wear gloves, hard hats, safety goggles, and ear plugs.
May work indoors or outdoors, depending on the job.
Are sometimes exposed to noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable, such as those made by electric cutting tools.
Are sometimes exposed to hazardous equipment, such as electric saws and welding equipment.
Are sometimes exposed to hot or cold temperatures, depending on the weather.
Are sometimes exposed to contaminants such as cleaning solvents.
Are sometimes exposed to high places, especially helpers of bricklayers, painters, and plasterers.
Are sometimes exposed to hazardous situations that may produce cuts or scrapes.
Are sometimes exposed to cramped work places that require getting into awkward positions.
Travel to and from work sites in a truck or van.
May work physically near others.

Work performance

Must be sure that all details are done and their work is exact. Errors could result in lost time and materials.
Repeat the same physical activities.
Usually set their daily tasks and priorities with input from a supervisor.
Must meet weekly and monthly deadlines.

Hours/travel

Usually work eight-hour shifts, though longer hours are also common.
May work only during seasons when weather permits construction.
Travel to different construction sites to work. May work at one site for a few weeks or months.

Physical demands

Construction helpers frequently:

Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Stand for long periods of time.
Repeat the same movements.
Bend or twist their body.
Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
Climb ladders, scaffolds, or poles.
Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for construction helpers to be able to:

Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for construction helpers to be able to:

Understand the speech of another person.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Determine the distance between objects.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Move arms and legs quickly.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
See objects in very bright or glaring light.
While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Construction helpers need to:

Communicate

Understand spoken information.

Reason and problem solve

Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Training

To work as a construction helper, you typically need to:

complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

On-the-job training

Construction helpers usually receive training on the job from an experienced worker. During training, you learn to:

use equipment necessary for the job;
unload materials; and
clean and prepare work sites.

Training generally lasts up to four weeks. It's important to remember that helpers continually learn new skills depending on the job and type of structure they are helping to build.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be construction specialists. Training lasts five to eight weeks, depending on your specialty. Further training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Blueprint Reading
Carpentry
Construction
Electricity
Industrial Arts
Physical Education
Woodworking

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Many employers require a high school diploma or equivalent. Most require helpers to be at least 18 years old. Employers may require that applicants pass a physical exam. Some also require drug testing or background checks. Employers look for people who are reliable, hard working, and in good physical condition.

Costs to workers

Helpers may need to purchase work clothing and footwear. Union workers pay an initiation fee and regular membership dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters (SOC 47-3011)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$15.13	$16.81	$21.50	$28.32	$36.73
	Monthly	$2,622	$2,913	$3,726	$4,908	$6,365
	Yearly	$31,460	$34,960	$44,720	$58,900	$76,400
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$12.46	$15.04	$16.74	$18.53	$28.10
	Monthly	$2,159	$2,606	$2,901	$3,211	$4,870
	Yearly	$25,932	$31,274	$34,807	$38,540	$58,453
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$16.02	$17.39	$21.39	$27.43	$39.26
	Monthly	$2,776	$3,014	$3,707	$4,754	$6,804
	Yearly	$33,331	$36,166	$44,484	$57,053	$81,665
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$17.36	$22.35	$26.42	$28.94	$30.46
	Monthly	$3,008	$3,873	$4,579	$5,015	$5,279
	Yearly	$36,097	$46,502	$54,956	$60,210	$63,362
Vancouver	Hourly	$14.93	$16.94	$19.61	$25.55	$30.50
	Monthly	$2,587	$2,936	$3,398	$4,428	$5,286
	Yearly	$31,037	$35,235	$40,786	$53,146	$63,434
United States	Hourly	$11.25	$13.32	$16.05	$19.27	$26.69
	Monthly	$1,950	$2,308	$2,781	$3,339	$4,625
	Yearly	$23,400	$27,700	$33,380	$40,070	$55,520

Helpers--carpenters (SOC 47-3012)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$11.60	$11.81	$14.30	$18.76	$28.74
	Monthly	$2,010	$2,047	$2,478	$3,251	$4,981
	Yearly	$24,120	$24,560	$29,740	$39,010	$59,780
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$11.81	$12.48	$16.59	$24.10	$31.86
	Monthly	$2,047	$2,163	$2,875	$4,177	$5,521
	Yearly	$24,563	$25,966	$34,512	$50,142	$66,278
Vancouver	Hourly	$11.58	$13.42	$16.24	$18.61	$20.04
	Monthly	$2,007	$2,326	$2,814	$3,225	$3,473
	Yearly	$24,079	$27,921	$33,771	$38,709	$41,696
United States	Hourly	$10.10	$12.11	$14.85	$17.87	$21.28
	Monthly	$1,750	$2,099	$2,574	$3,097	$3,688
	Yearly	$21,010	$25,180	$30,880	$37,160	$44,260

Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons (SOC 47-3014)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$12.58	$13.84	$15.59	$17.43	$18.54
	Monthly	$2,180	$2,398	$2,702	$3,021	$3,213
	Yearly	$26,170	$28,790	$32,420	$36,260	$38,570
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$13.51	$15.07	$16.61	$18.16	$19.09
	Monthly	$2,341	$2,612	$2,879	$3,147	$3,308
	Yearly	$28,098	$31,343	$34,551	$37,774	$39,708
Vancouver	Hourly	$13.18	$14.72	$16.69	$18.22	$19.16
	Monthly	$2,284	$2,551	$2,892	$3,158	$3,320
	Yearly	$27,399	$30,620	$34,700	$37,901	$39,844
United States	Hourly	$10.17	$12.02	$14.40	$17.86	$22.14
	Monthly	$1,762	$2,083	$2,496	$3,095	$3,837
	Yearly	$21,140	$25,010	$29,960	$37,160	$46,060

Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (SOC 47-3015)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$12.96	$14.73	$17.66	$22.59	$27.51
	Monthly	$2,246	$2,553	$3,060	$3,915	$4,767
	Yearly	$26,970	$30,630	$36,740	$46,980	$57,210
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$14.19	$16.32	$19.14	$24.22	$28.58
	Monthly	$2,459	$2,828	$3,317	$4,197	$4,953
	Yearly	$29,524	$33,948	$39,806	$50,383	$59,453
Vancouver	Hourly	$11.22	$13.08	$15.60	$18.69	$23.08
	Monthly	$1,944	$2,267	$2,703	$3,239	$4,000
	Yearly	$23,343	$27,220	$32,431	$38,868	$48,022
United States	Hourly	$10.51	$12.69	$14.89	$18.09	$22.21
	Monthly	$1,821	$2,199	$2,580	$3,135	$3,849
	Yearly	$21,860	$26,390	$30,980	$37,620	$46,200

Wages for construction helpers vary by the area of construction.

Full-time construction helpers usually receive typical benefits. These include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters (SOC 47-3011)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	424	16.0%	16.1%	79
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	17	23.5%	13.4%	3
Benton and Franklin Counties	37	16.2%	15.0%	7
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	40	12.5%	15.2%	7
King County	117	16.2%	19.6%	22
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	10	20.0%	13.8%	2
Pierce County	94	20.2%	15.2%	18
Snohomish County	23	13.0%	12.4%	4
Spokane County	48	16.7%	13.9%	9
United States	24,400	10.7%	5.2%	3,700

Helpers--Carpenters (SOC 47-3012)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	417	20.4%	16.1%	82
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	10	10.0%	13.4%	2
Benton and Franklin Counties	56	28.6%	15.0%	12
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	14	21.4%	15.2%	2
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	13	38.5%	14.1%	3
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	26	26.9%	14.6%	5
King County	91	14.3%	19.6%	16
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	64	32.8%	13.8%	15
Pierce County	32	18.8%	15.2%	6
Snohomish County	26	19.2%	12.4%	5
United States	34,200	11.7%	5.2%	5,300

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons (SOC 47-3014)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	351	15.4%	16.1%	64
Benton and Franklin Counties	12	16.7%	15.0%	2
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	54	16.7%	11.9%	9
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	19	15.8%	15.2%	3
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	34	14.7%	14.1%	6
King County	80	7.5%	19.6%	12
Pierce County	51	23.5%	15.2%	11
Spokane County	22	22.7%	13.9%	4
United States	10,900	5.5%	5.2%	1,600

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-3015)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	611	17.3%	16.1%	115
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	22	18.2%	11.9%	4
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	68	19.1%	15.2%	13
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	14	21.4%	14.1%	3
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	14	21.4%	14.6%	3
King County	158	14.6%	19.6%	29
Pierce County	194	20.6%	15.2%	38
Snohomish County	102	18.6%	12.4%	19
Spokane County	50	18.0%	13.9%	9
United States	56,900	15.6%	5.2%	9,200

National employment

Major employers:

Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning companies
Masonry, stonework, and plastering companies
House and office construction companies
Building finishing contractors

National outlook

Demand for construction helpers will grow at a strong pace. As more homes, schools, office buildings, and power plants are built, the demand for construction helpers will increase.

Job prospects depend on growth in the trades that employ them. Carpenter and bricklaying helpers will have the best opportunities. There may be periods of unemployment during times when construction slows, such as colder months.

This occupation has very high turnover. Many job openings should arise as workers leave the field.

Other resources

Building Industry Association of Washington
111 - 21st Avenue SW
Olympia, WA 98501
800.228.4229
360.352.7800

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
7234 Parkway Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
410.564.5900

Interview with a Plumber

National Association of Women in Construction
327 South Adams Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104
800.552.3506
817.877.5551

North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU)
815 16th ST, NW, Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20006

Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council
906 Columbia Street SW, Suite 107
Olympia, WA 98501
360.357.6778

References

Career cluster

Architecture and Construction

Career path

Realistic (Technical)

O*Net occupations

O*Net job zones

Job Zone 1 - Little or no preparation needed. No previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.