Key takeaways:
If you’re curious about general contractor earnings, this article breaks down what you can expect—from average salaries to factors that boost your earning power.
- Average earnings for general contractors are strong. In the U.S., the average annual salary for general contractors is $97,554.
- Income varies by location, experience, and specialization. Contractors in high-demand states like California and Connecticut earn above $130,000, while those in lower-demand or rural areas may see salaries from $50,000–$70,000. Specializing in commercial, custom, or highly skilled trades can further increase earnings.
- Business owners have higher earning potential—along with more risk. Running your own contracting business means your income depends on project management, bidding skills, and effective cost control. Profit margins often range from 10–35% depending on project type.
- Skills, certifications, and reputation pay off. Gaining specialized licenses or certifications, taking on complex projects, and building a great reputation all contribute to higher rates and better job opportunities over time.
- Growth comes from smart planning and efficiency. Streamlining your workflow, expanding your services, and investing in solid business systems make it easier to increase earnings year after year.
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General contracting is a steady, high-demand career with strong earning potential. The average annual salary for general contractors in the United States is $97,554.
How much you earn often comes down to where you work, the projects you specialize in, and whether you’re drawing an employee paycheck or running your own company. Understanding how these elements affect your pay can help you set realistic goals and make informed choices about your career trajectory.
In this guide, we’ll break down the average general contractor salary in the U.S., explore how earnings differ by region and specialization, and explain how income potential changes when you run your own business.
What is the average salary for a general contractor?
Thinking about a career in general contracting? Below, we’ll break down average pay by year, month, week, and hour so you know what to expect.
Keep in mind that these figures reflect what general contractors typically earn as employees for larger companies, like residential homebuilders or commercial construction firms.
Starting your own general contracting business opens the door to much higher earnings. When you’re an owner (not just an employee), you’re in control of your rates, the types of projects you take on, and how you manage costs. With smart planning and solid systems, your income can grow right along with your business.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what general contractors typically earn in the United States:
Annual income for general contractors
Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the median annual wage for construction managers (including general contractors) is about $106,980 USD per year.
General contractors earn a wide range of salaries depending on the type of work they do. Median annual wages are about $91,000 per year in residential construction and climb to $121,000 for civil engineering projects such as highway or bridge construction.
Many lead contractors also earn yearly bonuses, especially if they manage high-volume projects for major construction firms.
Pro Tip: Plan ahead for busy and slow seasons, since general contracting income can fluctuate throughout the year. Spring and summer are typically the busiest seasons for residential projects, while commercial work may stay steady year-round.
Monthly income for general contractors
General contractors in the United States earn between $1,458 and $25,083 USD monthly. On average, the median monthly income is around $8,019 per month.
This wide range reflects differences in experience, location, and project scope. Contractors working part-time may earn on the lower end, while established business owners managing large commercial or custom home builds can bring in much higher monthly earnings.
Weekly income for general contractors
The typical weekly earnings for general contractors in the U.S. range from $719 per week to $4,388.
A contractor handling a few residential jobs each week (like kitchen or bathroom remodels) may have a different income cap than a full-scale commercial contracting business.
Hourly income for general contractors
In the U.S., general contractors earn an average of $46 per hour. Your hourly earnings as a general contractor vary based on the complexity of the work and the market you serve.
For example, routine residential repairs may pay less per hour, while specialized services in commercial settings can command higher rates.
Hourly rates often increase if you are licensed in a specialized field, such as electrical work, plumbing, or HVAC installation, since these skills require additional training and certifications.
General contracting salaries by state
Your location plays a big role in how much you can earn as a general contractor. Areas with more commercial buildings and public or government-funded infrastructure projects often offer higher pay than suburban or rural markets.
Here’s a look at the median hourly and annual salaries across the United States:
| State | Avg. Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $21.91 | $86,170 |
| Alaska | $26.64 | $107,743 |
| Arizona | $20.16 | $79,266 |
| Arkansas | $12.54 | $49,303 |
| California | $33.05 | $129,972 |
| Colorado | $22,96 | $90,267 |
| Connecticut | $43.45 | $170,863 |
| Delaware | $28.40 | $111,683 |
| Florida | $25.47 | $100,140 |
| Georgia | $25.00 | $98,307 |
| Hawaii | $18.00 | $60,827 |
| Idaho | $25.01 | $98,334 |
| Illinois | $23.89 | $93,932 |
| Indiana | $21.45 | $84,344 |
| Iowa | $25.11 | $98,754 |
| Kansas | $18.80 | $73,923 |
| Kentucky | $17.83 | $70,103 |
| Louisiana | $22.75 | $89,453 |
| Maine | $20.59 | $80,965 |
| Maryland | $22.24 | $87,469 |
| Massachusetts | $36.13 | $142,083 |
| Michigan | $22.58 | $88,789 |
| Minnesota | $28.54 | $112,242 |
| Mississippi | $25.86 | $101,704 |
| Missouri | $25.71 | $101,105 |
| Montana | $31.36 | $123,318 |
| Nebraska | $15.74 | $61,907 |
| Nevada | $21.64 | $85,082 |
| New Hampshire | $21.08 | $82,908 |
| New Jersey | $26.28 | $103,351 |
| New Mexico | $27.46 | $107,988 |
| New York | $19.60 | $77,073 |
| North Carolina | $19.21 | $75,522 |
| North Dakota | $19.18 | $75,416 |
| Ohio | $23.30 | $91,612 |
| Oklahoma | $21.43 | $84,282 |
| Oregon | $37.03 | $145,623 |
| Pennsylvania | $23.23 | $91,359 |
| Rhode Island | $24.23 | $95,268 |
| South Carolina | $24.19 | $95,100 |
| South Dakota | $20.89 | $82,161 |
| Tennessee | $25.64 | $100,838 |
| Texas | $25.46 | $100,095 |
| Utah | $26.75 | $105,193 |
| Vermont | $23.59 | $92,755 |
| Virginia | $18.30 | $71,940 |
| Washington | $21.50 | $84,556 |
| West Virginia | $17.18 | $67,535 |
| Wisconsin | $23.46 | $92,248 |
| Wyoming | $31.51 | $123,910 |
Source: Indeed.com 2025 general contractor data
Consider these takeaways as you plan your business based on where you live and work:
- States with high demand and a higher cost of living, such as California and Connecticut, also offer the highest contractor salaries, ranging from $130,000 to $ 170,000 annually.
- Mid-range states in the south and southeast (such as Florida and Georgia) offer solid earnings of around $95,000 to $100,000. These locations tend to have a more moderate cost of living.
- Lower-demand or rural areas, such as Arkansas, Kentucky, and Indiana, tend to have salaries on the lower end, ranging from $ 50,000 to $ 70,000.
No matter where you’re located, specializing in scalable commercial builds, custom home projects, or public infrastructure work can help you earn above your state’s average.
General contractor salaries by specialization
General contractors often take on projects that involve several specialized trades—and sometimes, they perform work in one of these trades themselves.
Understanding what each role earns can help you decide where to focus your skills or how to expand your services. Here’s what you can expect to earn for each speciality:
| Role | Avg. Hourly Rate | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| General Contractor | $15 – $100+ | $31,500 – $200,000+ |
| Construction Project Manager | $20 – $71 | $42,000 – $149,000+ |
| Electrician | $25 – $47 | $32,000 – $98,000 |
| Master Plumber | $16 – $62 | $33,000 – $129,000 |
| Roofer | $13 – $37 | $28,500 – $77,000 |
| HVAC Contractors | $13-43 | $28,000 – $89,000 |
- General contractors and project managers often earn the most because they oversee entire projects, manage timelines, and coordinate multiple trades.
- Specialized trades, like electricians and plumbers, offer steady demand and strong pay. These are skills that you can either hire out or develop yourself to expand your services.
Your pay depends on certifications, the types of projects you take on, and the level of demand for specialized skills. Choosing a high-demand niche is one of the fastest ways to boost your earning potential as a general contractor.
Earnings for business owners
Owning a general contracting business opens the door to much higher earnings—but also comes with more risk and responsibility. Unlike employees with steady paychecks, business owners’ earnings depend on how well they bid on new projects, manage costs, and deliver quality work on time.
Because of this, income can vary widely:
- $105,521/year — average reported by a salary-sharing site
- $82,000/year — reported by a Reddit user with $150,000 in net business income
- $150,000+/year — target for some owners on r/GeneralContractor using aggressive marketing and strategic bidding
At the end of the day, your pay comes down to one thing: how much profit your business generates.
Construction profit margins
Construction profit margins vary widely, but most businesses aim for a 10–35% gross profit margin depending on the type of work completed. Residential projects tend to fall near the lower end of this range, while commercial projects tend to support higher markups because of their scale and complexity.
Your actual take-home pay will depend on expenses like:
- Labor and subcontractor wages – payments to your crew and specialized trades
- Materials – lumber, concrete, fixtures, and other project supplies
- Permits – fees required for local building approvals
- Insurance – coverage to protect your business and clients
- Taxes – federal, state, and local obligations
Efficient management, accurate project estimates, and good cost control are key to growing your profits and building a sustainable business.
Factors that increase earning potential
Both employees and business owners have several factors that influence how much they can earn as general contractors:
- Location and demand: Areas with steady construction activity typically offer higher pay. High-demand cities may have more construction competition, but they also bring more opportunities to take on larger, higher-paying jobs throughout the year.
- Experience and certifications: As you gain experience and complete specialized training, your skills become more valuable and open the door to higher-paying projects. Certifications in areas like sustainability, building safety, or specialty trades can help you qualify for bigger projects and higher rates.
- Cost of materials: Rising material costs can eat into profit margins if not managed carefully. Buying in bulk, negotiating with suppliers, and closely monitoring price changes help you stay competitive and protect your earnings.
- Reputation and referrals: A solid reputation leads to repeat business and steady referrals. Delivering excellent results, communicating clearly, and earning positive reviews online can make it easier to land new clients and grow your business.
- Growth opportunities: Expanding your services—like offering commercial builds, specialty remodeling, or additional trades—can attract a wider client base and projects with greater value. To grow your business, focus on hiring reliable employees and subcontractors who can help you take on more projects with confidence.
Pro Tip: Even small improvements to workflow and customer service can lead to significant revenue gains over time. Jobber helps you streamline scheduling, send professional estimates, and keep projects organized, making it easier to grow your bottom line.
READ MORE: Best apps for contractors to streamline operations
Start your general contracting career
General contracting offers a rewarding path with strong earning potential and plenty of room to grow. You might start out as an employee handling residential projects and later build your own business managing large commercial jobs.
With the right strategy, certifications, and team, you can increase your income and create a long-term, sustainable career in a highly important industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Employees earn a predictable wage or salary, with benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions.
Business owners set their own rates and have higher earning potential, but income can be less predictable, especially early on. They also take on added responsibilities, like marketing, taxes, and managing projects or staff, while gaining more control over their schedule and long-term growth. -
Location, services offered, and experience all play a big role in a general contractor’s success. Employees earn steady pay and benefits, while business owners have more control—and the opportunity to grow their income—by taking on additional projects, expanding services, and attracting new customers through marketing and referrals.
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Yes, having a contractor’s license can significantly increase your earning potential. A license not only allows you to take on bigger, higher-paying projects—especially in commercial construction—but also builds trust with clients and sets you apart from unlicensed competitors. In many states, it’s a legal requirement for bidding on certain jobs.