Virginia prevailing wage rates, by county
Federal Davis-Bacon base + fringe for every Virginia county, next to the market wage, with the determination numbers to cite.
$55.97/hrTypical union electrician packagebase + fringe, per hour
71%Counties with a union electrician rateBuilding type
187Active determinationsVirginia
Aug 13Latest modification2026, SAM.gov
Look up a Virginia county
Key trades by county (Building)
Highest electrician packages
- 1Arlington, Clarke and 7 more$82.56
- 2Floyd, Giles and 2 more$65.74
- 3Accomack, Amelia and 46 more$55.97
Lowest
- 1Alleghany, Bath and 7 more$19.75
- 2Warren$24.28
- 3Augusta, Rockingham$24.56
Building type, base + fringe per hour; counties sharing a rate are grouped. Swatch: union contract rate or survey rate. Select a county to see every classification.
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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* | — |
| 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 |
| 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* | — |
| 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* |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Frederick | $41.64* | $77.01 | $29.12* | $17.93* | $28.00* | $63.72 | $32.37* | $41.02 |
| 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* |
| 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* | — |
| 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* | — |
| Madison | $19.75* | $21.50* | $18.32* | $13.37* | $11.50* | — | $30.27* | — |
| 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* | — |
| 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* | — |
| Pittsylvania | $55.97 | $27.19* | $15.60* | $13.70* | $14.11* | — | $19.18* | — |
| 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* |
| 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* | — |
| 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* | — |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Westmoreland | $55.97 | $27.19* | $16.96* | $16.00* | $14.11* | — | $24.17* | — |
| 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 type, base + fringe per hour, current revision. * = survey rate. Not the official determination; use the lookup for the determination number and a link to the official text.
Rates that have not kept up
Survey-based rates that are eight or more years old and how they compare with today's market median for the county's metro (or state).
| County | Trade | Survey year | Required package $/hr | Market median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albemarle | Electrician | 2016 | $32.29 | $30.28 |
| Alleghany | Electrician | 2016 | $19.75 | $30.24 |
| Amherst | Electrician | 2016 | $31.09 | $28.25 |
| Accomack | Plumber | 2016 | $27.19 | $29.07 |
| Albemarle | Plumber | 2016 | $23.63 | $27.17 |
| Alleghany | Plumber | 2016 | $21.50 | $29.07 |
| Accomack | Carpenter | 2016 | $16.96 | $26.77 |
| Albemarle | Carpenter | 2016 | $17.00 | $26.97 |
| Alleghany | Carpenter | 2016 | $18.32 | $26.77 |
| Accomack | Construction laborer | 2016 | $16.00 | $20.94 |
| Albemarle | Construction laborer | 2016 | $11.15 | $21.67 |
| Alleghany | Construction laborer | 2016 | $13.37 | $20.94 |
| Accomack | Heavy equipment operator | 2016 | $14.11 | $27.48 |
| Albemarle | Heavy equipment operator | 2016 | $17.11 | $28.75 |
| Alleghany | Heavy equipment operator | 2016 | $11.50 | $27.48 |
| Accomack | Sheet metal worker | 2016 | $24.17 | $25.10 |
| Albemarle | Sheet metal worker | 2016 | $24.40 | $22.57 |
| Alleghany | Sheet metal worker | 2016 | $30.27 | $25.10 |
| Amelia | Painter | 2016 | $16.58 | $22.92 |
| Caroline | Painter | 2016 | $16.58 | $22.82 |
| Charles City | Painter | 2016 | $16.58 | $22.92 |
Questions this page answers
What is the prevailing wage in Virginia?
For federally funded construction, the Davis-Bacon determinations for Virginia (187 active documents covering Building, Residential, Heavy and Highway work) set the required base wage and fringe by county and classification. Union-contract rates apply to electricians in 72 of 102 counties with a Building rate; the typical union package is $55.97 an hour.
How many Davis-Bacon determinations cover Virginia?
187 active general wage determinations cover Virginia: 44 Building, 35 Heavy, 81 Highway, 27 Residential. Together they list rates for 102 counties in the Building type shown here. State-funded projects may fall under a separate Virginia prevailing wage law; this page covers the federal rates.
How often do the rates change?
The Department of Labor publishes modifications most Thursdays. The latest change to a Virginia determination in our data is dated 2026-08-13. New determination numbers are issued each January.
Sources and notes
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations for Virginia, current revisions as of 2026-09-28: Heavy 35, Building 44, Highway 81, Residential 27.
- BLS OEWS May 2025 for market medians.
- Classification labels normalised to trades by Skilled Wages; where a determination lists several electrician or laborer classes, the journeyman / general class is shown. The official text governs.