What Is a General Laborer? - Job Description, Duties, and Skills

If you're looking for a job, you may have come across the term general laborer on job sites and listings. But what does it mean to be a general laborer?

Keep reading. In this article, we'll talk about what general laborers do, the skills and qualities they need to have, examples of general labor jobs, and more.

What Is a General Laborer?

A general laborer is an unskilled or minimally trained worker who may be employed in a variety of fields.

General laborers often perform manual or physical work in indoor and outdoor settings. Common general labor employers include:

• warehouses
• manufacturers
• construction companies
• tree and landscape companies
• bakeries

General laborers can hold many different job titles and work in many different settings.

What Does a General Laborer Do?

General laborers typically perform manual labor. They are hands-on, physical workers tasked with performing a variety of functions. Duties vary widely depending on the specific industry.

For example, landscape workers spend most of their time outdoors, doing yard work and maintenance, making ponds, building retaining walls, and performing similar duties.

Meanwhile, a warehouse worker will spend a lot of time inside a warehouse, organizing stock, loading and unloading goods, and operating forklifts.

Generally speaking, general laborers are responsible for tasks such as:

• carrying out plans and following instructions
• lifting, moving, and carrying heavy objects
• spending much of their time on their feet
• working as a team
• operating tools and machinery

General laborers typically work full-time hours and may be expected to work overtime to meet tight deadlines.

What Skills and Qualities Does a General Laborer Have?

General laborers must be strong, fit, and healthy since their job is often physically demanding. They must be able to work long, strenuous hours without tiring.

They must be able to communicate effectively with coworkers and superiors and ask questions when necessary. They are team players who are willing to do what it takes to get the job done.

Many general laborer jobs require specialized or advanced skills, such as the ability to operate a forklift or use other types of equipment.

These skills are typically taught on the job, so general laborers must be willing to learn and improve their skills as necessary.

What Education Do You Need To Become a General Laborer?

In many cases, you can get entry-level general labor jobs with only a high school diploma or GED. Some employers may hire candidates without these credentials.

Some advanced or specialized general labor jobs may require training from a community college or vocational school. Some employers may prefer workers with a bachelor's degree.

In most cases, on the job training will be required. New workers will learn to perform job-specific tasks and skills during this training period.

What Are Some Common General Laborer Jobs?

There are many positions and job titles available for general laborers. Let's take a look at a few of the most common general labor jobs.

Warehouse Workers

Warehouses require a lot of people doing a lot of different jobs to run smoothly. Many of these jobs are held by general laborers.

Common warehouse worker positions include:

• dock workers
• warehouse associates
• forklift operators
• packers
• package handlers

Warehouse workers ensure that goods and products are stored, loaded, and shipped properly by keeping the warehouse clean, organized, and efficient.

Custodians and Janitors

Custodians and janitors are responsible for keeping buildings clean. They perform a variety of basic housekeeping skills.

Common tasks may include:

• vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping
• removing trash
• disinfecting sinks, toilets, and other surfaces

Custodians and janitors work in many different indoor settings such as schools, office buildings, hospitals, and more.

Farm, Garden, Tree, and Landscape Workers

Farm, garden, tree, and landscape workers perform a variety of outdoor tasks. Exact duties vary by job title.

Farm and garden workers operate machinery to plant, water, and harvest crops. They may also care for farm animals.

Tree workers such as arborists and trimmers care for trees in public and residential areas, removing dead or damaged limbs, treating diseases, and cutting down problematic trees.

Landscape workers provide various lawn care services depending on the individual needs and requests of clients.

Carpenters

Carpenters build structures and products from wood. They are also responsible for installing and repairing these structures in houses and other buildings.

Some of the structures carpenters routinely build include:

• cabinets and cupboards
• counters and vanities
• furniture and doors

Carpenters often require extensive on the job training in material selection, blueprint drafting, installation techniques, building codes, and more.

Maintenance Workers

Maintenance workers are responsible for repairing and maintaining various types of equipment and machinery.

Maintenance workers also include those who work on building systems such as:

• plumbing
• electrical
• HVAC

Maintenance workers typically specialize in a particular system or type of machinery and receive extensive training in how to troubleshoot and repair issues within that specialization.

Become a General Laborer Today

Are you interested in becoming a general laborer? Explore the various career options outlined in this article and decide which industry or specialization appeals to your particular interests.