A residential developer laborer helps the trades build homes and townhomes across a subdivision by moving materials, cleaning each house and lot, and doing the prep work crews need. They take direction from the field supervisor and often work on several lots in one day.
By the HireBus team · Updated · Pay data: BLS, May 2025
Median pay, residential builders and remodelers · BLS, May 2025
Supports residential building and development projects with a focus on material handling, efficient trades assistance, and maintaining a safe, clean jobsite. Plays a crucial role in ensuring projects run smoothly by assisting skilled trades and adhering to high quality and safety standards. Contributes to the overall project efficiency and client satisfaction by providing timely and reliable support.
2. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Assist various trades by providing general labor support and material organization.
Handle, transport, and prepare building materials for efficient project work.
Maintain a clean and organized jobsite to adhere to safety and quality standards.
Follow established protocols to ensure timely completion of tasks and projects.
3. Key Tasks / Daily Activities
Collaborate with tradespeople on-site to facilitate project progress.
Load, unload, and transport materials and supplies throughout the work area.
Conduct daily cleaning and maintenance of the worksite, tools, and equipment.
Communicate any issues, delays, or safety concerns with the Site Supervisor immediately.
4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Material Handling Efficiency: Achieve a 95% on-time material supply rate.
Site Cleanliness Compliance: Maintain a score of >95% as evaluated during daily inspections.
Trades Assistance Responsiveness: Complete tasks within 90% of allocated timelines.
Safety Performance: Achieve a 100% compliance rate with personal and site safety protocols.
5. Required Qualifications and Skills
High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 1 year of experience in a labor or helper role in the construction or residential building industry.
Reliable work ethic with excellent organizational and teamwork skills.
Basic understanding of construction tools and materials handling.
6. Preferred Experience
Experience working on residential building projects or in home services.
Background in assisting skilled trades such as carpentry, masonry, or plumbing.
Familiarity with standard construction safety practices and protocols.
Proven track record of working effectively in a dynamic and physically demanding environment.
7. Physical Requirements
Ability to lift at least 50 pounds consistently.
Capability to work in varied weather conditions including hot, cold, and rainy environments.
Extensive periods of standing, bending, and walking on uneven surfaces.
Comfortable working in environments where noise, dust, and physical activity are common.
8. Work Environment and Schedule
Standard working hours typically range from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines and urgent site needs.
Minimal travel required as assignments are primarily based at residential job sites.
On-call responsibilities may be necessary during peak project periods.
9. Compensation and Benefits
Hourly rate in the range of $15 - $20 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
Eligibility for performance-based bonuses and overtime compensation.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance benefits.
401k plan with company matching and other fringe benefits such as paid time off.
10. Company Culture and Overview
Our company is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment where every team member is valued and encouraged to develop their skills.
We promote safety, innovation, and accountability to ensure outstanding client satisfaction and operational success.
As part of our team, you will receive ongoing training and opportunities for advancement, making your success our priority.
We pride ourselves on a workplace culture that is inclusive, supportive, and committed to excellence in the home services industry.
11. How to Apply
If you meet the above criteria and want to be part of a growth-oriented company focused on customer satisfaction, please send your resume to [INSERT EMAIL HERE] or apply online at [INSERT WEBSITE LINK HERE].
Need help filling this role? HireBus posts the ad, Iris interviews every applicant by phone before you do, and you decide who to hire. Start hiring now
What changes for a laborer at a residential developer
The work moves from house to house on streets the company is still building, and townhome buildings add height.
Debris from upper floors
Townhome buildings put laborers on upper floors with scrap to remove. OSHA requires an enclosed chute when material falls over 20 feet to ground beyond the building's walls. If debris goes down a floor hole with no chute, the whole landing area must be closed in by barricades that stand 42 inches or taller and sit 6 feet or more back from the opening's edge above. Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.252, disposal of waste materials.
Cleaning up concrete and masonry dust
Cutting block, concrete or stone leaves silica dust on garage floors and in basements. Under OSHA's silica standard, crews can't dry sweep or brush that dust where it could expose workers if wet methods or HEPA vacuuming are feasible, and compressed air is limited too. Give laborers a HEPA vacuum and water for this cleanup. Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, respirable crystalline silica.
Flagging trucks in from the road
Concrete and delivery trucks turn into a new subdivision from a public road all day. When a laborer flags traffic, OSHA requires the signals, the flagging and the flagger's warning garment to follow Part 6 of the federal traffic control manual, the MUTCD. Train anyone before they hold a paddle. Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.201, signaling.
Lot numbers before street addresses
New streets may not have house numbers yet. Laborers get sent by phase and lot number, so teach new hires to read the subdivision map in the site trailer and to check the lot stake before dropping material or starting cleanup.
How much residential developer laborers make
The closest BLS group for residential developer laborers is Helpers--Carpenters. Helpers--Carpenters who work for residential builders and remodelers earned a median of $21.64 an hour ($45,010 a year) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s about the same as the $43,780 median for Helpers--Carpenters in all industries. About 8,030 of the 21,680 Helpers--Carpenters in that survey work for residential builders and remodelers.
Paid by the hour, with overtime. BLS reports a median for carpenters' helpers at residential builders that beats every rate in the template's hourly range, so look at what local builders offer.
Residential builders and remodelers
$45,010$45,010 median Middle half $36,750–$51,530 10th–90th $31,940–$58,670
All industries
$43,780$43,780 median Middle half $36,730–$49,400 10th–90th $31,660–$57,670
$20k$30k$40k$50k$60k$70k
10th–90th percentileMiddle halfMedianAnnual pay, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Annual pay by percentile
Group
10th
25th
Median
75th
90th
Residential builders and remodelers
$31,940
$36,750
$45,010
$51,530
$58,670
All industries
$31,660
$36,730
$43,780
$49,400
$57,670
BLS reports home builders and remodelers together. Post a real range for your market in the ad.
The pay line in the template above is an example from our Role Blueprint. Set yours from these figures and what local companies pay.
Skills to hire for, and what you can teach
Hire for these
Arrives on time, dressed for outdoor work
Follows directions from different trades in the same day
Uses a shovel, wheelbarrow and basic hand tools safely
Reports a hazard to the supervisor the moment they see it
Keeps track of which lot they're on and what it needs
Teach these on the job
Reading the subdivision map and lot stakes
Safe use of the power tools the trades hand over
Your cleanup standard at each stage
Flagging, after formal training
Dust control for concrete and masonry cleanup
Laborers use brooms, shovels, wheelbarrows, a HEPA vacuum and basic hand tools, with a hard hat, safety glasses, gloves and boots. Say in the ad which gear the company provides.
Residential developer laborer interview questions
Two of the 6 questions we'd ask, and what a strong answer sounds like. Ask every candidate the same questions, and rate each answer on your own before you compare notes.
Situational · Erosion control basics
You're cleaning up a lot and see that the silt fence along the street has been knocked down. What do you do?
A strong answer: Tells the supervisor, and helps put it back as shown, because it keeps mud out of the street and storm drains.
Behavioral · Keeping work areas clean and safe
Tell me about a time at work, school or volunteering when you kept a busy work area picked up and safe for others, like a job site, warehouse or kitchen.
A strong answer: Describes a routine: picked up as they went, kept walkways clear, kept trash apart from materials still good to use, and told the lead about hazards they couldn't fix.
Does a laborer need any training before starting on a subdivision?
Most of the job is learned on site, but some tasks call for training before the laborer does them: flagging traffic, controlling dust during concrete and masonry cleanup, and driving a forklift or other powered equipment. Ask candidates what they've been trained on, and record the training you give in the first weeks.
How much does a residential developer laborer make?
Helpers--Carpenters who work for residential builders and remodelers earned a median of $21.64 an hour ($45,010 a year) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $36,750 and $51,530 a year. Pay also depends on your local market, experience and overtime.
What should a laborer do with leftover material on a lot?
Stack it neatly on that lot, mark it with the lot number, and tell the field supervisor. The inventory specialist decides whether it goes to another house or back to the yard. Material left loose in the mud gets ruined or thrown out with the scrap.
What should an owner ask a laborer candidate?
Ask about a normal day on their last site and which tools they used. Ask what they did when they spotted something unsafe, and how they kept track of instructions from several people at once. Strong answers name specific tasks and people.
Which subdivision jobs match the laborer template's 50-pound, weather and noise lines?
The template keeps these lines word for word. Around a subdivision they mean carrying lumber, buckets and boxes of fasteners up to 50 pounds, loading scrap into a dumpster, sweeping and shoveling outside in every season, and working near saws, nailers and loaders. Show candidates a typical day's tasks and talk through any accommodation request individually.
