Stalest prevailing wage rates

Computed from public data; nothing hand-picked.

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025

Oldest survey rates still in force

7035 county-trade rates in current Building determinations rest on Department of Labor surveys eight or more years old. The oldest go back to 1984. Because Davis-Bacon is a floor, an old survey rate can sit far below what the market pays today.

County	Trade	Survey year	Required package $/hr	Market median $/hr	Required as % of market
Tulare, CA	Carpenter	1984	$17.60	$30.96	57%
Tulare, CA	Construction laborer	1984	$10.69	$22.93	47%
Tulare, CA	Heavy equipment operator	1984	$10.27	$29.10	35%
Amador, CA	Electrician	1985	$20.17	$36.62	55%
Amador, CA	Plumber	1985	$28.38	$35.01	81%
Amador, CA	Carpenter	1985	$25.04	$36.50	69%
Amador, CA	Construction laborer	1985	$19.12	$28.98	66%
Amador, CA	Heavy equipment operator	1985	$25.36	$41.90	61%
Del Norte, CA	Electrician	1986	$23.46	$36.62	64%
Humboldt, CA	Electrician	1986	$23.46	$36.62	64%
Lake, CA	Electrician	1986	$23.46	$36.62	64%
Mendocino, CA	Electrician	1986	$23.46	$36.62	64%
Del Norte, CA	Plumber	1986	$42.37	$35.01	121%
Humboldt, CA	Plumber	1986	$42.37	$35.01	121%
Lake, CA	Plumber	1986	$42.37	$35.01	121%
Mendocino, CA	Plumber	1986	$42.37	$35.01	121%
Del Norte, CA	Carpenter	1986	$26.00	$36.50	71%
Humboldt, CA	Carpenter	1986	$26.00	$36.50	71%
Lake, CA	Carpenter	1986	$26.00	$36.50	71%
Mendocino, CA	Carpenter	1986	$26.00	$36.50	71%
Del Norte, CA	Construction laborer	1986	$22.57	$28.98	78%
Humboldt, CA	Construction laborer	1986	$22.57	$28.98	78%
Lake, CA	Construction laborer	1986	$22.57	$28.98	78%
Mendocino, CA	Construction laborer	1986	$22.57	$28.98	78%
Del Norte, CA	Heavy equipment operator	1986	$33.87	$41.90	81%
Humboldt, CA	Heavy equipment operator	1986	$33.87	$41.90	81%
Lake, CA	Heavy equipment operator	1986	$33.87	$41.90	81%
Mendocino, CA	Heavy equipment operator	1986	$33.87	$41.90	81%
Boone, IL	Construction laborer	1993	$7.25	$28.07	26%
DeKalb, IL	Construction laborer	1993	$7.25	$29.27	25%
Henry, IL	Construction laborer	1993	$7.25	$26.14	28%
McLean, IL	Construction laborer	1993	$7.25	$29.16	25%
Ogle, IL	Construction laborer	1993	$7.25	$29.18	25%
Rock Island, IL	Construction laborer	1993	$7.25	$26.14	28%
Winnebago, IL	Construction laborer	1993	$7.25	$28.07	26%
Woodford, IL	Construction laborer	1993	$7.25	$30.27	24%
Jefferson, IN	Electrician	1995	$10.58	$32.93	32%
Scott, IN	Electrician	1995	$10.58	$32.93	32%
Jefferson, IN	Plumber	1995	$16.85	$36.69	46%
Scott, IN	Plumber	1995	$16.85	$36.69	46%
Jefferson, IN	Carpenter	1995	$10.24	$30.23	34%
Scott, IN	Carpenter	1995	$10.24	$30.23	34%
Jefferson, IN	Construction laborer	1995	$11.62	$24.07	48%
Scott, IN	Construction laborer	1995	$11.62	$24.07	48%
Jefferson, IN	Heavy equipment operator	1995	$11.06	$38.26	29%
Scott, IN	Heavy equipment operator	1995	$11.06	$38.26	29%
Spencer, IN	Electrician	1996	$13.92	$32.93	42%
Spencer, IN	Plumber	1996	$21.33	$36.69	58%
Spencer, IN	Carpenter	1996	$15.61	$30.23	52%
Crawford, IN	Heavy equipment operator	1996	$16.92	$38.26	44%
Dubois, IN	Heavy equipment operator	1996	$12.38	$38.26	32%
Orange, IN	Heavy equipment operator	1996	$17.70	$38.26	46%
Perry, IN	Heavy equipment operator	1996	$16.92	$38.26	44%
Pike, IN	Heavy equipment operator	1996	$12.38	$38.26	32%
Spencer, IN	Heavy equipment operator	1996	$16.85	$38.26	44%
Washington, IN	Heavy equipment operator	1996	$17.70	$29.76	59%
Jackson, IN	Plumber	1996	$21.12	$36.69	58%
Alamosa, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Archuleta, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Baca, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Bent, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Chaffee, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Cheyenne, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Conejos, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Costilla, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Crowley, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Custer, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Delta, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Dolores, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Eagle, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Fremont, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Garfield, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Grand, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Gunnison, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Hinsdale, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Huerfano, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Jackson, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Kiowa, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Kit Carson, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Lake, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
La Plata, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Las Animas, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Lincoln, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Logan, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Mineral, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Moffat, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Montezuma, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Montrose, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Morgan, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Otero, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Ouray, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Phillips, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Pitkin, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Prowers, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Rio Blanco, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Rio Grande, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Routt, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Saguache, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
San Juan, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
San Miguel, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Sedgwick, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Summit, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Washington, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Yuma, CO	Construction laborer	2001	$9.75	$23.03	42%
Alamosa, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Archuleta, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Baca, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Bent, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Chaffee, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Cheyenne, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Conejos, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Costilla, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Crowley, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Custer, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Delta, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Dolores, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Eagle, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Fremont, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Garfield, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Grand, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Gunnison, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Hinsdale, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Huerfano, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Jackson, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Kiowa, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Kit Carson, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Lake, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
La Plata, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Las Animas, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Lincoln, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Logan, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Mineral, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Moffat, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Montezuma, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Montrose, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Morgan, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Otero, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Ouray, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Phillips, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Pitkin, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Prowers, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Rio Blanco, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Rio Grande, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Routt, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Saguache, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
San Juan, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
San Miguel, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Sedgwick, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Summit, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Washington, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Yuma, CO	Heavy equipment operator	2001	$13.41	$30.11	45%
Adams, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Ashland, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Barron, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Bayfield, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Buffalo, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Burnett, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Clark, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Columbia, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$39.93	63%
Crawford, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Dodge, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Door, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Dunn, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Florence, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Fond du Lac, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$34.40	73%
Forest, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Grant, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Green, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$39.93	63%
Green Lake, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Iowa, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$39.93	63%
Iron, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Jackson, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Jefferson, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Juneau, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Kewaunee, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.68	68%
Lafayette, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Langlade, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Lincoln, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Manitowoc, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Marinette, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Marquette, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Menominee, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Monroe, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Oconto, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.68	68%
Oneida, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Pepin, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Polk, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Portage, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Price, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Richland, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Rusk, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Sauk, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Sawyer, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Shawano, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Taylor, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Trempealeau, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Vernon, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$34.34	73%
Vilas, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Walworth, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%
Washburn, WI	Heavy equipment operator	2002	$25.06	$36.19	69%

Questions this page answers

Why are some prevailing wage rates so old?

Survey-based Davis-Bacon rates stay in force until the Department of Labor completes a new survey for that area and construction type. Surveys are slow and expensive, so rural counties in particular can carry rates from a decade or more ago. Union-contract rates update whenever the collective bargaining agreement changes.

Sources and notes

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
BLS Employment Projections; BLS CPI-U; BEA Regional Price Parities; SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).