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Do you have the building skills and want to know how much you’d get paid to work as a contractor? Independent contractors trade their building, repair and installation expertise for good money. If you’re new in the field, find out how much a contractor takes home for pay.
Responsibilities of a Contractor
Contractors carry out different tasks in construction projects. These projects may include residential and commercial buildings, infrastructures and industrial projects. Their roles may vary from one project to another, but overall, they plan, implement and oversee the completion of a project. Here are some of the general duties of a contractor.
1. Plan the project
They plan how to develop the project. They list the materials needed, estimate the time for completion and think of solutions for potential issues.
2. Manage the project
They manage the budget, equipment and generated waste and hire subcontractors to finish the project.
3. Monitor progress
A contractor ensures that the project is on schedule and that the quality of work is maintained. They review, modify and update the project details based on feedback.
4. Comply with legal responsibilities
The contractor secures building permits and other legal and regulatory requirements.
5. Oversee safety
They make sure that everyone working on the project adheres to the safety policy, like the use of safety equipment.
Types of Contractors
Different types of contractors work together to complete a building construction project from start to finish. Some of these people have specialization, helping determine how much a contractor gets paid.
- General Contractors
These are workers who don’t specialize in one area. They’re generalists with extensive building skills and know home systems at a broad level. More often, they assume the responsibilities of a project manager and lead the subcontractors.
- Design-Build Contractors
These are a team of specialists consisting of a designer, contractor and subcontractors. With design-build contractors, you have access to various talents from the start to the end of the project. Instead of individually hiring a designer and a tile installer, the home-building process becomes seamless if an entire team works together.
- Specialist Contractors
Contractors with specialty only focus on one area of the construction process, like plumbing, painting or tile installation. A plumber works on pipes while the electrician installs the light fixtures. The work they do is limited to their field of focus.
Per Hour Pay for Contractors
How much a contractor gets paid depends on their job descriptions. Pay gaps exist as some are engineers while others are carpenters. The location also affects the hourly rate. Nationwide, the mean wage per hour for construction workers is $22.29 or $46,350 annually.
States With the Highest Employment Level for Construction Jobs
Texas, California, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania are the top five states that employ the highest number of construction workers.
| State | Employment | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
| Texas | 112,760 | $ 18.08 | $ 37,600 |
| California | 95,900 | $ 27.03 | $ 56,210 |
| Florida | 68,150 | $ 18.12 | $ 37,690 |
| New York | 48,320 | $ 28.50 | $ 59,280 |
| Pennsylvania | 37,970 | $ 24.11 | $ 50,150 |
States With the Highest Pay For Construction Jobs
Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York are the five top-paying states for construction jobs.
| State | Employment | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
| Hawaii | 4,320 | $ 32.04 | $ 66,650 |
| Illinois | 27,680 | $ 31.53 | $ 65,590 |
| New Jersey | 20,120 | $ 31.53 | $ 65,590 |
| Massachusetts | 20,490 | $ 31.22 | $ 64,940 |
| New York | 48,320 | $ 28.50 | $ 59,280 |
Among the metropolitan areas, Trenton, New Jersey, pays the highest mean wage for construction workers at $33.19 per hour. North northeastern Ohio pays the most within non-metropolitan areas at $22.69 per hour.
The compensation for construction jobs continues to increase nationwide from $34.53 per hour in May 2022 to $36.29 in May 2023.
Highest-Paying Construction Jobs
The earning ability of independent contractors is based on their expertise, specialization and role. Some contractors will manage and oversee the project, while others will install, repair and do hands-on work. Here are the top-paying construction workers and their estimated annual wages.
1. Site Safety Manager
Annual salary: $66,500 to $92,500
2. Civil Engineer
Annual salary: $65,000 to $89,500
3. Construction Superintendent
Annual salary: $60,000 to $89,500
4. Elevator Mechanic
Annual salary: $52,500 to $88,000
5. Cost Estimator
Annual salary: $47,000 to $86,000
6. Safety Manager
Annual salary: $56,000 to $81,000
7. Construction Inspector
Annual salary: $46,000 to $71,000
8. Electrical Contractor
Annual salary: $30,500 to $70,000
9. Surveyor
Annual salary: $37,500 to $69,000
10. Elevator Supervisor
Annual salary: $32,500 to $66,000
11. Building Inspector
Annual salary: $45,000 to $63,500
12. Boilermaker
Annual salary: $43,500 to $63,500
13. Sheet Metal Foreman
Annual salary: $46,500 to $62,500
14. Solar Installation Foreman
Annual salary: $52,000 to $60,000
15. Crane Operator
Annual salary: $33,500 to $58,500
General Contractor Rate per House
For projects from scratch, general contractors typically charge 10% to 20% of the entire project cost. If a house costs $300,000 to build, the contractor will take between $30,000 to $60,000.
For repairs, installations and small- to large-scale home upgrades, the general contractor’s fee may be as little as $20 per hour to over $10,000.
Factors That Affect a Contractor’s Hourly Rates
Certain factors raise or reduce how much a contractor gets paid. They may change their rates depending on these things.
- Scope of work: Large-scale and complex home improvement projects will cost more.
- Location: Contractors in states with high costs of living will charge more.
- Materials: They also add the cost of siding supplies, lumber and other construction materials to the final rate.
- Timeline: Rush projects will incur more money since the staff will need to work overtime.
- Overhead: Contractors add the equipment rental, utility bills and insurance to the labor cost.
- Change order fee: Contractors charge a fee if clients decide to change the project scope.
Making Money as a General Contractor
Many factors influence the compensation of contractors, including the size of the project, timeline, materials and location. Skills, reputation and experience can make you earn an excellent living as a general contractor. Depending on the local regulations, you may get a job as a contractor with or without needing a license. If you plan to break into the field, make sure you check the state laws for independent contractors.
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About The Author
Rose is the managing editor of Renovated and a freelance writer with over five years of experience.
She's most interested in researching topics on sustainable construction, such as new technologies and innovations in the built environment. She also loves sharing home projects and inspiration for even the most novice DIY-ers. Rose's favored topics and values stem from growing up in a family of contractors.
When she isn't writing, you'll find her baking something to satisfy her never-ending sweet tooth and spending time with her cats. For more about Rose, you can reach out on LinkedIn and check out her portfolio online.
