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Construction labor burden examples

Compare common construction roles, inspect the assumptions behind each result, and load any example into the calculator with a shareable preset URL.

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Which assumptions drive the result?

Role	Pay basis	Base pay	Productive cost	Burden	Main driver
General construction laborer	Hourly	$22.00/hr	$32.27/hr	46.7%	Workers' compensation
Skilled carpenter	Hourly	$34.00/hr	$52.58/hr	54.7%	Benefits and tools
Remodeling crew member	Hourly	$29.00/hr	$43.77/hr	50.9%	Vehicle and tools
Project supervisor	Salary	$78,000	$62.70/hr	67.2%	Admin time and vehicle

Generic planning example

General construction laborer

$32.27/hrper productive hour

Base compensation: $22.00/hr
Burden: 46.7% above base wage

Key assumptions

1 overtime hour per week
Workers' compensation: 8.0%
Paid non-billable time: 248 hours/year
Tools: $450/year
Vehicle: $600/year
Employer health, dental, and vision: $3,900/year

Tax year: 2026. State-specific rates are not applied unless you enter them.

Excludes union obligations, prevailing-wage fringe benefits, state-specific paid-leave rules, project travel, and contractor overhead.

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Generic planning example

Skilled carpenter

$52.58/hrper productive hour

Base compensation: $34.00/hr
Burden: 54.7% above base wage

Key assumptions

3 overtime hours per week
Workers' compensation: 7.0%
Paid non-billable time: 248 hours/year
Tools: $1,800/year
Vehicle: $2,200/year
Employer health, dental, and vision: $6,000/year

Tax year: 2026. State-specific rates are not applied unless you enter them.

Excludes union obligations, prevailing-wage fringe benefits, state-specific paid-leave rules, project travel, and contractor overhead.

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Generic planning example

Remodeling crew member

$43.77/hrper productive hour

Base compensation: $29.00/hr
Burden: 50.9% above base wage

Key assumptions

2 overtime hours per week
Workers' compensation: 5.0%
Paid non-billable time: 248 hours/year
Tools: $1,200/year
Vehicle: $1,800/year
Employer health, dental, and vision: $5,400/year

Tax year: 2026. State-specific rates are not applied unless you enter them.

Excludes union obligations, prevailing-wage fringe benefits, state-specific paid-leave rules, project travel, and contractor overhead.

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Generic planning example

Project supervisor

$62.70/hrper productive hour

Annual salary: $78,000
Hourly equivalent: $37.50/hr
Burden: 67.2% above base wage

Key assumptions

0 overtime hours per week
Workers' compensation: 4.0%
Paid non-billable time: 380 hours/year
Tools: $0/year
Vehicle: $4,800/year
Employer health, dental, and vision: $7,500/year

Tax year: 2026. State-specific rates are not applied unless you enter them.

Excludes union obligations, prevailing-wage fringe benefits, state-specific paid-leave rules, project travel, and contractor overhead.

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Construction labor burden examples

Which assumptions drive the result?

General construction laborer

Key assumptions

Skilled carpenter

Key assumptions

Remodeling crew member

Key assumptions

Project supervisor

Key assumptions

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