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Day Laborer Jobs in Kankakee, IL (NOW HIRING)

General Laborer

Bradley, IL · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

On a day-to-day basis a general laborer is typically responsible for assembling and working on fabricated parts, operating, and tending workstations, inspecting products, and building snowplow ...

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Day Laborer information

See Kankakee, IL salary details

$10

$17

$23

How much do day laborer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for day laborer in Kankakee, IL is $17.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $18.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a day laborer?

A day laborer performs a job in exchange for a daily wage, and are not usually permanently hired by a company. Instead, you are hired on a daily basis to perform jobs for specific projects. Your job duties vary greatly depending on the type of work you are being hired to perform. Examples include agricultural work, construction, loading, and unloading. The work is usually manual in nature. To be successful in this job, you need to possess a strong work ethic, be in good physical shape, and have stamina.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a day laborer?

To thrive as a Day Laborer, you need physical stamina, reliability, and the ability to follow instructions, with no formal education typically required. Familiarity with basic hand tools, power tools, and safety equipment is important for efficiency and safety on job sites. Strong work ethic, teamwork, and punctuality are soft skills that help individuals stand out in this role. These skills and qualities ensure tasks are completed safely, accurately, and on time, contributing to successful project outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced by day laborers on the job, and how can they be managed?

Day laborers often encounter challenges such as varying work hours, physically demanding tasks, and adapting to different work sites or supervisors each day. Managing these challenges involves maintaining good physical health, arriving prepared with proper attire and tools if possible, and staying adaptable to changing tasks and environments. Good communication skills also help build positive relationships with supervisors and coworkers, which can lead to more consistent work opportunities and safer job conditions.

What is the difference between Day Laborer vs Construction Worker?

AspectDay LaborerConstruction Worker
CredentialsNo formal certifications typically requiredOften requires OSHA safety training or certifications
Work EnvironmentVaries daily, often outdoors, short-term jobsConsistent work sites, structured projects
Employer & Industry UsageHired by day or task, used across various industriesEmployed by construction companies, focused on building projects
Search & Comparison IntentCommonly compared for temporary, flexible workCompared for skilled labor roles in construction

While both Day Laborers and Construction Workers perform manual labor, Day Laborers typically work on short-term, flexible jobs without formal certifications, often outdoors and across various industries. Construction Workers usually have more structured roles, may require safety certifications, and work on specific building projects for construction companies.

What are the most commonly searched types of Laborer jobs in Kankakee, IL?

The most popular types of Laborer jobs in Kankakee, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Day Laborer jobs in Kankakee, IL?

For Day Laborer jobs in Kankakee, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Day Laborer jobs in Kankakee, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Day Laborer jobs in Kankakee, IL are:

What cities near Kankakee, IL are hiring for Day Laborer jobs?

Cities near Kankakee, IL with the most Day Laborer job openings:

Infographic showing various Day Laborer job openings in Kankakee, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,175 per year, or $17.4 per hour.

$15 - $20/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 hours ago


Job description

Manually move freight, stock, or other materials, or perform other general labor, also load and unload materials for the powder coating line. Assemble, build, and load plows from raw material processing to loading finished products on trucks. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.

On a day-to-day basis a general laborer is typically responsible for assembling and working on fabricated parts, operating, and tending workstations, inspecting products, and building snowplow equipment. They often work in repetitive manufacturing processes, such as cutting, bolting, drilling, and assembling. Production workers also maintain a clean and organized work area, as well as monitor equipment performance to ensure efficient and safe work processes. Further responsibilities can include troubleshooting, checking product quality, adhering to safety protocols, and providing general maintenance/ cleaning and maintaining tools.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Attach identifying tags to materials or mark them with identifying information.

  • Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.

  • Move freight, stock, or other materials to and from storage or production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles or containers, by hand or using trucks, tractors, or other equipment.

  • Finish grinding applications using manual and power tools

  • Safety and housekeeping

  • Inspect parts before and after production, to ensure quality control

  • Load and unload parts and materials

  • Maintain a clean and organized work area

  • Meet production deadlines in a timely and efficient manner

  • Record and report any issue with the production process

  • Assist other employees as needed

  • Perform other duties as assigned by the area supervisor

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Previous experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
  • Reliable transportation
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk; use hands to fingers to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, chemicals, risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. However, in some instances this job may require work in areas where ear protection is necessary.

You should be proficient in:

  • Material Handler Experience
  • Experience in a Manufacturing Environment
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