Water and fire damage restoration jobs and pay in the US: $46,050 (median pay a year: construction laborers and helpers). Construction laborers and helpers, the main occupation in water and fire damage restoration businesses, earned a median $46,050 a year in May 2024 (all US workers: $49,500). There were 1,649,100 such jobs, with employment projected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034 (all occupations: 3%).
Data last updated · Period: 2024 (projections to 2034)
Understanding the chart
The bar chart above shows water and fire damage restoration businesses in the US: jobs, pay and job outlook, with one bar for each of the 3 figures. Each bar is labelled with its exact value, and values are median pay a year, in $. The longest bar is the highest. The bars are, in order: Construction laborers and helpers at $46,050; Hazardous materials removal workers at $48,490; All US workers at $49,500. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2024 (projections to 2034) and come from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (pay May 2024, projections 2024-34).
Key insights
- 0 of the 2 main occupations in this industry pay above the US median of $49,500.
- The main occupation, construction laborers and helpers, earns $46,050, 7% lower than the US median, and ranks 61st of 80 occupations in Advanton's US profiles by pay.
- There were 1,649,100 jobs in this occupation in 2024, with employment projected to grow 7% by 2034 (all occupations: 3%).
- The best-paid is hazardous materials removal workers ($48,490); the lowest-paid is construction laborers and helpers ($46,050).
Analysis
Construction laborers and helpers ($46,050) is 5% lower than Hazardous materials removal workers ($48,490), a difference of $2,440. Construction laborers and helpers ($46,050) is 7% lower than All US workers ($49,500), a difference of $3,450. Across the 3 bars, the highest is All US workers and the lowest is Construction laborers and helpers.
What it means
For small business owners, pay data sets the starting point for wage budgets: hiring in a well-paid occupation means higher costs but often higher prices for the work. Strong projected growth signals rising demand for the service, which supports new businesses, but also more competition for skilled staff. Check local pay, licensing and training requirements, which vary widely by state.
Related figures
- Median pay by occupation in US small business industries, 2024: $179,210 (highest: Dentists). Across the 80 occupations behind Advanton's US industry profiles, dentists earn the most (median $179,210 a year) and animal caretakers the least ($33,470).
- Projected job growth by occupation in the US, 2024–2034: 42.0% (fastest: Solar photovoltaic installers). Jobs for solar photovoltaic installers are projected to grow fastest, 42% from 2024 to 2034, against 3% for all occupations.
About this statistic
Pay and employment figures come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median pay is the wage at which half of workers in the occupation earned more and half earned less in May 2024; it excludes self-employed workers. Job projections show the expected change in employment from 2024 to 2034, based on demand for each occupation's work.
For small business owners, these figures are a starting point for budgeting wages, and the outlook shows whether demand for the work is growing. Pay varies widely by state, city and experience.
Questions and answers
What do the figures show for water and fire damage restoration businesses in the US: jobs, pay and job outlook?
$46,050 (median pay a year: construction laborers and helpers). Construction laborers and helpers, the main occupation in water and fire damage restoration businesses, earned a median $46,050 a year in May 2024 (all US workers: $49,500). There were 1,649,100 such jobs, with employment projected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034 (all occupations: 3%).
How does United States compare?
0 of the 2 main occupations in this industry pay above the US median of $49,500. The main occupation, construction laborers and helpers, earns $46,050, 7% lower than the US median, and ranks 61st of 80 occupations in Advanton's US profiles by pay.
Where does this data come from?
From U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (pay May 2024, projections 2024-34), covering 2024 (projections to 2034). Occupations that make up most of this industry's workforce. Jobs and pay cover employees across all industries, not only small businesses.
How this page was made
Generated by Advanton from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (2024 (projections to 2034)), data updated 9 November 2026: chart, ranks, comparisons and text are computed from the published figures; no figures are changed. About the data.
Data
| Occupation | Median pay a year ($) |
|---|---|
| Construction laborers and helpers | $46,050 |
| Hazardous materials removal workers | $48,490 |
| All US workers | $49,500 |
Source and notes
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (pay May 2024, projections 2024-34). Period: 2024 (projections to 2034). Coverage: United States.
Occupations that make up most of this industry's workforce. Jobs and pay cover employees across all industries, not only small businesses.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (pay May 2024, projections 2024-34).Related statistics
- Median pay by occupation in US small business industries, 2024
- Projected job growth by occupation in the US, 2024–2034
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Last reviewed November 9, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
