Residential Construction Labor Rates (U.S.) — November 21, 2025

Residential construction labor rates in the U.S. vary by city/state, season, licensing, job difficulty, and whether you’re hiring a subcontractor or a fully-insured contractor. This guide shares typical national hourly ranges for early budgeting.

Quick summary (national typical ranges)

General labor: $25–$45/hr
Skilled trades (carpentry, drywall, painting): $40–$85/hr
Licensed trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC): $75–$150/hr
Specialty / high-complexity: can exceed $150/hr in high-cost metros

These are budgeting ranges for labor. Many contractors quote a fixed project price (labor + overhead + profit + materials).

Typical residential labor rates by trade (U.S.)

Use these as a starting point. “Low” is more common in lower-cost areas or simpler scopes. “High” is more common in major metros, urgent jobs, or complex scopes.

General Laborer / Helper

Low: $25/hr
Typical: $30–$40/hr
High: $45+/hr What they do: demo, hauling, site cleanup, basic assistance.

Handyman (light residential)

Low: $45/hr
Typical: $60–$85/hr
High: $100+/hr What they do: small repairs, punch-list work, minor installs.

Carpenter (finish/trim)

Low: $45/hr
Typical: $60–$90/hr
High: $110+/hr Examples: doors, trim, cabinets, detailed installs.

Framing Carpenter / Crew

Low: $40/hr
Typical: $55–$85/hr
High: $100+/hr Notes: crew productivity matters more than any single hourly rate.

Drywall Installer / Finisher

Low: $40/hr
Typical: $55–$85/hr
High: $100+/hr Notes: high finishes, complex ceilings, and quick-turn work cost more.

Painter

Low: $35/hr
Typical: $50–$80/hr
High: $95+/hr Notes: prep level (masking/patching/sanding) drives cost.

Tile Setter

Low: $55/hr
Typical: $70–$110/hr
High: $140+/hr Notes: showers, waterproofing, layouts, and cuts add time.

Flooring Installer

Low: $45/hr
Typical: $60–$95/hr
High: $120+/hr Notes: stairs and subfloor repairs increase labor.

Roofer (repair/crew)

Low: $45/hr
Typical: $60–$95/hr
High: $120+/hr Notes: steep roofs, safety setup, and access increase costs.

Electrician (licensed)

Low: $75/hr
Typical: $95–$140/hr
High: $160+/hr Notes: panels, troubleshooting, and permits can add fees.

Plumber (licensed)

Low: $75/hr
Typical: $95–$150/hr
High: $175+/hr Notes: emergency calls and old-home retrofits can be higher.

HVAC Tech (licensed)

Low: $85/hr
Typical: $110–$160/hr
High: $180+/hr Notes: diagnostics, parts, and permits vary widely.

Why rates vary so much

Location: higher-cost metros trend higher
Licensing & insurance: licensed trades usually have higher overhead
Scope clarity: vague scopes get “risk pricing”
Access & complexity: tight spaces, high ceilings, old-home issues, hazardous materials precautions
Speed: rush jobs, weekends, short notice

How to use these numbers for budgeting

Estimate labor hours (or ask a contractor for crew size × days).
Multiply hours × typical hourly rate for a budget range.
Add materials (and a waste factor).
Add a buffer for unknowns on remodels.

Example: A 2-person painting crew for 2 days at 8 hours/day = 32 labor hours. At $50–$80/hr, labor budget = $1,600–$2,560 (labor only), before materials.

FAQs

Are these employee wages or contractor billable rates?These are typical billable labor rates used for estimating. Employee wages are often lower because they don’t include full overhead, insurance, vehicles, tools, admin time, and profit.

Do service calls cost more than hourly work?Often yes. Many trades use a minimum service fee (or first-hour rate) that’s higher than steady hourly work.

How do I get the most accurate rate for my area?Get 2–3 local quotes with the same written scope and ask what’s included (permits, disposal, prep, cleanup, protection/masking).

Disclaimer: This page is for general budgeting only. Rates vary widely by region and job conditions.

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If you’re budgeting a residential remodel or repair, these are typical U.S. hourly labor rate ranges you may see from contractors and subcontractors. Actual pricing depends heavily on your city, licensing, and job complexity.