Construction Worker Jobs in Philadelphia, PA
Entry-level construction laborers in Philadelphia usually start between $20 and $22 an hour, and experienced laborers earn $26 an hour or more. Philadelphia Gas Works, Post Brothers and Tradesmen International are hiring now. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to get started.
Current construction worker Openings in Philadelphia, PA
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Construction Worker Work in Philadelphia
Philadelphia construction work ranges from apartment and commercial building projects in and around Center City to street, gas main and water line work across every neighborhood. Philadelphia Gas Works hires distribution laborers for its gas crews, the Streets Department hires laborers for city work, and developers and staffing firms fill site crews on residential building projects.
What sets the city apart is its safety law. Every worker on a Philadelphia construction or demolition site must carry proof of OSHA 10 training, and the Department of Licenses and Inspections can fine a contractor $1,000 for each worker who cannot show it. The union path is strong too: the Laborers' District Council trains apprentices at its North Broad Street center.
Top Philadelphia Employers Hiring Construction Workers
These employers have posted construction laborer jobs in Philadelphia:
- Philadelphia Gas Works - the city-owned gas utility hires Natural Gas Distribution Laborers at a posted $20.97 an hour with pension and tuition benefits.
- Post Brothers - the Philadelphia apartment developer and manager hires construction laborers in the city at $20 to $22 an hour.
- Tradesmen International - the construction staffing firm places general laborers on Philadelphia job sites at up to $22 an hour.
- Prompt & Reliable Electrical Services - the contractor hires skilled construction labor for residential building work at $15 to $31.25 an hour.
- City of Philadelphia - the Streets Department hires Laborers, a civil service job that requires no prior experience.
Construction Worker Salaries in Philadelphia
- Entry level: about $18 to $22 an hour for new laborers and helpers.
- Experienced: roughly $26 to $33 an hour for laborers with a few years on site.
- Senior: $35 to $40 an hour or more for top earners, often on union or public projects.
These are estimates based on Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and federal wage data for the Philadelphia area, plus pay posted by local employers. Union membership, public-works jobs, equipment skills and overtime move pay the most, and union and utility jobs add pensions and health benefits on top of the hourly rate.
How to Become a Construction Worker in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania has no license for construction laborers, but Philadelphia requires every worker on a construction or demolition site to carry an OSHA 10 card. Many employers ask for a high school diploma or GED and a driver's license. The Laborers' District Council apprenticeship trains at 1333 North Broad Street and combines at least 300 classroom hours with 4,000 hours of paid work; you apply in person with a $10 money order. The Samuel Staten Sr. Pre-Apprenticeship Program on North Watts Street prepares Philadelphia residents for union apprenticeships, and Orleans Technical College on Red Lion Road in the Northeast offers 8-month Carpentry and Building Maintenance programs that include OSHA 10.
What the Job Involves
Construction workers prepare and clean job sites, load and carry materials, dig trenches, mix and pour concrete, set up scaffolding and barricades, and help skilled trades such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers. Utility laborers also excavate around gas and water lines and restore streets and sidewalks. Every task follows site safety rules and personal protective equipment requirements.
Skills Employers Look For
- OSHA 10 Construction card
- Ability to lift heavy materials and work outdoors in all weather
- Safe use of hand and power tools
- Reliability for early starts and overtime
- Willingness to follow directions from foremen and trades
- Valid driver's license for many jobs
- Basic measuring and blueprint reading
Career Path and Advancement
Many Philadelphia construction workers start through a staffing firm or as a utility or city laborer, then enter a union apprenticeship through the Laborers' District Council or a building trades local. From there the ladder runs to journeyman laborer, equipment operator, foreman and superintendent, or into a skilled trade such as carpentry, electrical or plumbing.
Related Careers in Philadelphia
If construction work interests you, these Philadelphia trades are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need OSHA 10 to work construction in Philadelphia?
Yes. Philadelphia requires every worker on a construction or demolition site to carry proof of OSHA 10 training. Contractors face a $1,000 fine for each worker who cannot show it.
How much do construction laborers make in Philadelphia?
New laborers in the city typically start around $20 to $22 an hour. State wage data puts the average for construction laborers in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Division at about $29 an hour.
How do I join the laborers union in Philadelphia?
Apply to the Laborers' District Council apprenticeship in person at its training center at 1333 North Broad Street with a $10 money order. You need to be 18, have a diploma or GED and a driver's license, and pass a drug screen.
Do I need experience to get a construction job in Philadelphia?
Not always. City laborer jobs and many staffing placements require no prior experience, though an OSHA 10 card and a driver's license make you much easier to hire.
How long is the laborers apprenticeship in Philadelphia?
The Laborers' District Council apprenticeship combines at least 300 hours of classroom training with 4,000 hours of paid on-the-job work. Apprentices earn while they learn and move up in pay as they log hours.
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