Virginia prevailing wage rates, by county
What contractors must pay each trade on federally funded jobs in Virginia, county by county. Wage plus fringe, next to what the same trade earns on private work.
$55.97/hrTypical union electrician ratewage + fringe, per hour
69%Counties on a union rateelectricians, Building
187Wage determinationsVirginia
Oct 15Latest change2026, SAM.gov
Look up the prevailing wage in your Virginia county
Rates by county for the main trades
Rates are set by county, not by city. The Virginia metros with their own pay pages are Washington DC (Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax and more); Richmond (Amelia, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie and more); Virginia Beach (Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews and more). Click any county below for every trade on its determination.
Highest electrician rates
- 1Arlington, Clarke and 12 more$82.56
- 2Floyd, Giles and 3 more$65.74
- 3Accomack, Amelia and 56 more$55.97
Lowest
- 1Alleghany, Bath and 8 more$19.75
- 2Warren$24.28
- 3Augusta, Rockingham and 3 more$24.56
Building construction, wage + fringe per hour. Counties sharing one rate are grouped. Solid is a union rate, hatched is a survey rate. Click a county for every trade.
Union contract rateSurvey rate (marked * in the table)
| County | Electrician | Plumber | Carpenter | Construction laborer | Heavy equipment operator | Ironworker | Sheet metal worker | Painter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accomack | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Albemarle | $32.29* | $23.63* | $17.00* | $11.15* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $24.40* | $41.02 |
| Alexandria | $82.56 | $77.01 | $28.56* | $17.99* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Alleghany | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| Amelia | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $12.52* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Amherst | $31.09* | $25.07* | $17.00* | $14.08* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Appomattox | $31.09* | $25.07* | $17.00* | $13.78* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Arlington | $82.56 | $77.01 | $28.56* | $17.99* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Augusta | $24.56* | $27.77* | $17.00* | $15.03* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Bath | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| Bedford | $31.09* | $25.07* | $17.00* | $14.08* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Bland | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Botetourt | $31.09* | $25.07* | $14.59* | $16.73* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Bristol | $31.09* | $25.07* | $14.68* | $11.10* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Brunswick | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Buchanan | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Buckingham | $32.29* | $23.63* | $17.00* | $11.15* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.77* | $41.02 |
| Buena Vista | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| Campbell | $31.09* | $25.07* | $17.00* | $14.08* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Caroline | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $14.58* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Carroll | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Charles City | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $12.52* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Charlotte | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Charlottesville | $32.29* | $23.63* | $17.00* | $11.15* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $24.40* | $41.02 |
| Chesapeake | $51.06 | $55.17 | $18.56* | $13.74* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $28.48* | $23.53* |
| Chesterfield | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $13.60* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Clarke | $82.56 | $26.77* | $29.12* | $17.93* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Colonial Heights | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $13.60* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Craig | $31.09* | $25.07* | $14.59* | $16.73* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Culpeper | $82.56 | $77.01 | $29.12* | $17.93* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Cumberland | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Danville | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $13.70* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Dickenson | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Dinwiddie | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $11.83* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Emporia | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Essex | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Fairfax | $82.56 | $77.01 | $28.38* | $19.17* | $21.81* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Fairfax | $82.56 | $77.01 | $28.38* | $19.17* | $21.81* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Falls Church | $82.56 | $77.01 | $28.38* | $19.17* | $21.81* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Fauquier | $82.56 | $35.88* | $29.12* | $17.93* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $31.47* | $41.02 |
| Floyd | $65.74 | $25.07* | $17.00* | $13.34* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Fluvanna | $32.29* | $23.63* | $17.00* | $11.15* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.77* | $41.02 |
| Franklin | $31.09* | $25.07* | $14.59* | $16.73* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Franklin | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Frederick | $41.64* | $77.01 | $29.12* | $17.93* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $32.37* | $41.02 |
| Fredericksburg | $41.32* | $77.01 | $29.12* | $17.93* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Galax | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Giles | $65.74 | $25.07* | $17.00* | $13.34* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Gloucester | $51.06 | $55.17 | $18.56* | $13.74* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
| Goochland | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $12.52* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Grayson | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Greene | $32.29* | $23.63* | $17.00* | $11.15* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.77* | $41.02 |
| Greensville | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Halifax | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $15.20* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Hampton | $51.06 | $55.17 | $18.50* | $13.74* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
| Hanover | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $12.52* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Harrisonburg | $24.56* | $26.46* | $17.00* | $12.26* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Henrico | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $13.46* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Henry | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Highland | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| Hopewell | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $12.52* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Isle of Wight | $51.06 | $55.17 | $18.56* | $12.80* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
| James City | $51.06 | $55.17 | $18.56* | $13.74* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
| King George | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| King William | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $12.52* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| King and Queen | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Lancaster | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Lee | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Loudoun | $82.56 | $77.01 | $50.33 | $17.90* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Louisa | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| Lunenburg | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Lynchburg | $31.09* | $25.07* | $17.00* | $14.08* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Madison | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| Manassas | $82.56 | $77.01 | $50.33 | $14.31* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Manassas Park | $82.56 | $77.01 | $50.33 | $14.31* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Martinsville | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Mathews | $51.06 | $55.17 | $18.56* | $13.74* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
| Mecklenburg | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Middlesex | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Montgomery | $65.74 | $25.07* | $17.00* | $13.34* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Nelson | $32.29* | $23.63* | $17.00* | $11.15* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.77* | $41.02 |
| New Kent | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $12.52* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Newport News | $51.06 | $55.17 | $23.03* | $13.61* | $21.15* | $49.28 | $22.47* | $23.53* |
| Norfolk | $50.98 | $55.17 | $23.78* | $13.17* | $19.76* | $49.28 | $23.60* | $23.53* |
| Northampton | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Northumberland | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Norton | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $11.06* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Nottoway | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Orange | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| Page | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| Patrick | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Petersburg | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $11.83* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Pittsylvania | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $13.70* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Poquoson | $51.06 | $55.17 | $18.56* | $13.27* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
| Portsmouth | $50.98 | $55.17 | $17.00* | $14.55* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
| Powhatan | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $12.52* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Prince Edward | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Prince George | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $12.52* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Prince William | $82.56 | $77.01 | $50.33 | $14.31* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Pulaski | $65.74 | $25.07* | $17.00* | $13.34* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $20.01* |
| Radford | $65.74 | $25.07* | $17.00* | $13.34* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Rappahannock | $82.56 | $77.01 | $29.12* | $17.93* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Richmond | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Richmond | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $13.46* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Roanoke | $31.09* | $25.07* | $14.59* | $16.73* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Roanoke | $31.09* | $25.07* | $14.59* | $16.73* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Rockbridge | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| Rockingham | $24.56* | $26.46* | $17.00* | $12.26* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Russell | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Salem | $31.09* | $25.07* | $14.59* | $16.73* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Scott | $31.09* | $25.07* | $14.68* | $11.10* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Shenandoah | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| Smyth | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.66* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Southampton | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Spotsylvania | $41.32* | $77.01 | $29.12* | $17.93* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Stafford | $82.56 | $77.01 | $29.12* | $17.93* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $76.62 | $41.02 |
| Staunton | $24.56* | $27.77* | $17.00* | $15.03* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Suffolk | $51.06 | $55.17 | $18.56* | $13.74* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
| Surry | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $14.15* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| Sussex | $55.97 | $52.72 | $22.21* | $13.88* | $21.17* | $49.28 | $21.55* | $16.58* |
| Tazewell | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Virginia Beach | $24.88* | $55.17 | $22.34* | $13.86* | $21.97* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
| Warren | $24.28* | $24.93* | $15.69* | $10.99* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $18.40* | $41.02 |
| Washington | $31.09* | $25.07* | $14.68* | $11.10* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Waynesboro | $24.56* | $27.77* | $17.00* | $15.03* | $17.11* | $63.72 | $21.68* | $41.02 |
| Westmoreland | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Williamsburg | $51.06 | $55.17 | $18.56* | $13.74* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
| Winchester | $41.64* | $77.01 | $29.12* | $17.93* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $32.37* | $41.02 |
| Wise | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $11.06* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| Wythe | $55.97 | $21.50* | $17.26* | $10.89* | $11.50* | — | $24.17* | — |
| York | $51.06 | $55.17 | $18.56* | $13.27* | $22.04* | $49.28 | $22.04* | $23.53* |
Building construction, wage + fringe per hour, current revision. * = survey rate. Not the official determination: the lookup gives the determination number and a link to the official text.
Prevailing wage vs market pay in Virginia
The prevailing wage is what federally funded jobs must pay. The market median is what Virginia employers report paying across all work, with no benefits in it. Every trade in the state is ranked on the highest-paying trades in Virginia page, and every state is compared on the prevailing wage rates by state page.
| Trade | Market median $/hr | Prevailing wage $/hr (wage + fringe) | Rate type | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician in Virginia | $30.24 | $55.97 | Union | +$25.73 |
| Plumber in Virginia | $29.07 | $55.17 | Union | +$26.10 |
| Carpenter in Virginia | $26.77 | $50.33 | Union | +$23.56 |
| Construction laborer in Virginia | $20.94 | $13.74 | Survey | $-7.20 |
| Heavy equipment operator in Virginia | $27.48 | $17.11 | Survey | $-10.37 |
| Ironworker in Virginia | $28.97 | $63.72 | Union | +$34.75 |
| Sheet metal worker in Virginia | $25.10 | $76.62 | Union | +$51.52 |
| Painter in Virginia | $22.82 | $41.02 | Union | +$18.20 |
Prevailing wage is the typical Davis-Bacon rate across counties with one, Building construction. The market median has no benefits in it, so the gap is bigger than the difference in take-home pay. Not the official determination.
Questions this page answers
What is the prevailing wage in Virginia?
On federally funded construction in Virginia, it is the Davis-Bacon rate: a wage plus a fringe amount for benefits, set by county and trade in 187 wage determinations covering Building, Residential, Heavy and Highway work. Electricians are on a union rate in 90 of the 131 counties with a Building rate, and the typical union rate is $55.97 an hour, wage and fringe together.
How many Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Virginia?
187 active determinations cover Virginia: 44 Building, 35 Heavy, 81 Highway, 27 Residential. The Building ones list rates for 131 counties, shown on this page. This page covers the federal rates; state-funded jobs may fall under Virginia's own prevailing wage law.
How often do the rates change?
The Department of Labor publishes changes most Thursdays. The latest change to a Virginia determination in our data is dated 2026-10-15. New determination numbers come out each January.
Sources and notes
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations for Virginia, current revisions as of 2026-11-13: Heavy 35, Building 44, Highway 81, Residential 27.
- BLS OEWS May 2025 for market medians.
- Trade names simplified from the official classification labels by Skilled Wages; where a determination lists several electrician or laborer classes, the journeyman or general class is shown. The official text governs.