Prevailing wage rates · Delaware · Wage determination
Prevailing wage rates: New Castle County, Delaware
Building construction · DE20260008 modification 1, published May 18, 2026
The short answer
This sheet sets 27 classifications for building work in New Castle County, Delaware. Each line is a basic hourly rate plus a fringe rate, and the sum is the minimum you must pay for that work, from $25.89 an hour (operator: bulldozer) to $110.29 (elevator mechanic). Your contract may lock an earlier modification.
What changed this year
First published January 2, 2026, this sheet is now on modification 1, and its rates have changed in 1 modification.
Latest change
May 18, 2026 · modification 1
2 fringe formulas changed; 1 classification added, 2 classifications removed
- Elevator mechanic: 1 fringe formula changed
- Power equipment operator: 1 fringe formula changed
Every line that changed (2)
| Classification | Was | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELEVATOR MECHANIC | $71.85 + 38.435+A+B | $71.85 + $38.44 | changed |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFT | $48.73 + 32.23+A | $48.73 + $32.23 | changed |
Classifications added or removed
- Added: BRICKLAYER $34.19 + $27.98
- Removed: BRICKLAYER Brick Refractory/Brick Placement Worker
- Removed: BRICKLAYER Bricklayer
Compared line by line from each modification as published on SAM.gov. A line we could not pair with certainty is left out rather than guessed.
Rates by classification
These are the rates in modification 1 as published on SAM.gov. The determination and modification written into your contract are the ones that bind you; check that number before relying on this table. Total is the basic rate plus the fringe. Source is the agreement or survey the rate came from and its year; a survey year long past means the rate has not been surveyed since. A marker means the group changed in this modification. In the Since column, a dash means SAM.gov reworded the line during the year and it cannot be matched to the first publication with certainty. A dagger (†) means the fringe carries a footnote or percentage the total does not include; read the group’s notes.
| Classification | Basic rate | Fringe | Total | Since Jan 2 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOIL0013-009 · Boilermakers agreement, January 1, 2025 | |||||
| BOILERMAKER | $55.00 | $35.48 | $90.48 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| BRDE0001-001 · Bricklayers agreement, May 1, 2021 | |||||
| BRICKLAYER | $34.19 | $27.98 | $62.17 | — | Agreement, 2021 |
| CARP0173-009 · Carpenters agreement, May 1, 2025 | |||||
CARPENTER (INCLUDES ACOUSTICAL CEILING INSTALLATION…Full textCARPENTER (INCLUDES ACOUSTICAL CEILING INSTALLATION, DRYWALL HANGING, FORM WORK, METAL STUD INSTALLATION, SCAFFOLD BUILDING, EXCLUDES MASONRY/BRICK, AND EXCLUDES SOFT FLOOR LAYER) | $38.27 | $25.34 | $63.61 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| CARP0251-008 · Carpenters agreement, May 1, 2025 | |||||
| SOFT FLOOR LAYER | $38.02 | $25.39 | $63.41 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| CARP1906-003 · Carpenters agreement, May 1, 2025 | |||||
| MILLWRIGHT | $51.54 | $39.26 | $90.80 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| ELEC0313-002 · Electrical Workers (IBEW) agreement, June 3, 2024 | |||||
ELECTRICIAN (INCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND INSTALLATION OF ALARMS…Full textELECTRICIAN (INCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND INSTALLATION OF ALARMS, HVAC/TEMPERATURE CONTROLS AND SOUND AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS) | $47.50 | $35.93 | $83.43 | no change | Agreement, 2024 |
| ELEV0005-003 · Elevator Constructors agreement, January 1, 2025 | |||||
| ELEVATOR MECHANIC FOOTNOTES: FOR ELEVATOR MECHANICS: A. PAID VACATION: EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTES 8% OF BASIC HOURLY RATE FOR 5 YEARS OR MORE OF SERVICE OR 6% FOR 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS OF SERVICE. B. EIGHT PAID HOLIDAYS (PROVIDED EMPLOYEE HAS WORKED 5 CONSECUTIVE DAYS BEFORE AND THE WORKING DAY AFTER THE HOLIDAY): NEW YEARS'S DAY; MEMORIAL DAY; INDEPENDENCE DAY; LABOR DAY; VETERAN'S DAY; THANKSGIVING DAY AND THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING DAY, AND CHRISTMAS DAY | $71.85 | $38.44 | $110.29 | changed | Agreement, 2025 |
| ENGI0542-003 · Operating Engineers agreement, May 1, 2025 | |||||
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFT FOOTNOTE: A. PAID HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, LABOR DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY, CHRISTMAS DAY, AND ELECTION DAY (PROVIDED THE EMPLOYEE WORKS THE SCHEDULED WORK DAY FOLLOWING THE HOLIDAY.) | $48.73 | $32.23 | $80.96 | changed | Agreement, 2025 |
| IRON0451-005 · Ironworkers agreement, July 1, 2024 | |||||
IRONWORKER: ORNAMENTAL…Full textIRONWORKER: ORNAMENTAL, REINFORCING, AND STRUCTURAL THE FOLLOWING HOLIDAYS SHALL BE OBSERVED, AND WHEN WORK IS PERFORMED THEREON IT SHALL BE PAID FOR AT TWICE THE BASE WAGE RATE: NEW YEAR'S DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, LABOR DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY AND CHRISTMAS DAY | $41.10 | $38.23 | $79.33 | no change | Agreement, 2024 |
| LABO0199-005 · Laborers agreement, February 1, 2024 | |||||
LABORER: BACKFILLER…Full textLABORER: BACKFILLER, COMMON OR GENERAL, JACK HAMMER, MASON TENDER - BRICK, PIPELAYER, SCAFFOLD BUILDER (BRICK AND MASONRY), TAMPER (HAND HELD) | $29.45 | $25.70 | $55.15 | no change | Agreement, 2024 |
| LABORER (MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETE) | $31.45 | $25.70 | $57.15 | no change | Agreement, 2024 |
| PAIN0252-002 · Painters and Allied Trades agreement, May 1, 2025 | |||||
| GLAZIER | $49.96 | $37.56 | $87.52 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| PLAS0008-006 · Plasterers and Cement Masons agreement, May 1, 2021 | |||||
| PLASTERER: FIREPROOFER | $38.37 | $31.64 | $70.01 | no change | Agreement, 2021 |
| PLAS0592-009 · Plasterers and Cement Masons agreement, May 1, 2025 | |||||
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER | $41.69 | $27.28 | $68.97 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| PLUM0074-002 · Plumbers and Pipefitters agreement, September 30, 2024 | |||||
| PIPEFITTER: INCLUDES HVAC PIPE INSTALLATION AND EXCLUDES INDUSTRIAL WORK FOOTNOTE: A: PAID HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY, MEMORIAL DAY,INDEPENDENCE DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY,LABOR DAY, CHRISTMAS DAY, AND GENERAL ELECTION DAY | $41.35 | $38.19 | $79.54 | no change | Agreement, 2024 |
| PLUM0074-003 · Plumbers and Pipefitters agreement, September 30, 2024 | |||||
| PIPEFITTER: INDUSTRIAL FOOTNOTE: A: PAID HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY, MEMORIAL DAY,INDEPENDENCE DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY,LABOR DAY, CHRISTMAS DAY, AND GENERAL ELECTION DAY | $56.43 | $43.35 | $99.78 | no change | Agreement, 2024 |
| SFDE0669-002 · SFDE, April 1, 2025 | |||||
| SPRINKLER FITTER (FIRE SPRINKLERS) | $46.47 | $29.56 | $76.03 | no change | SFDE |
| SHEE0019-021 · Sheet Metal Workers agreement, July 1, 2020 | |||||
| SHEET METAL WORKER (INCLUDES HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION) | $33.63 | $40.60 | $74.23 | no change | Agreement, 2020 |
| SUDE2014-005 · Survey of contractors in DE, January 20, 2016 | |||||
| TILE SETTER | $57.98 | $1.11 | $59.09 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| TILE FINISHER | $35.40 | $4.31 | $39.71 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| ROOFER, EXCLUDES INSTALLATION OF METAL ROOFS | $27.98 | $27.90 | $55.88 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| ROOFER (INSTALLATION OF METAL ROOFS ONLY) | $39.09 | $30.77 | $69.86 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| PLUMBER | $47.73 | $18.40 | $66.13 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| PAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER) | $38.80 | $0.91 | $39.71 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| OPERATOR: CRANE | $32.40 | $18.27 | $50.67 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZER | $25.89 | $0.00 | $25.89 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $33.96 | $0.00 | $33.96 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
Modification history
| Modification 0 | January 2, 2026 |
| Modification 1 | May 18, 2026 (current) |
Published by the Wage and Hour Division; read from sam.gov. The sheet is checked for a newer modification each day. Contracts awarded since January 1, 2017 also carry Executive Order 13706 paid sick leave (one hour per 30 worked, up to 56 a year).
Questions people ask
- Which rate do I pay on DE20260008?
- The line for the classification of work actually performed: the basic rate plus the fringe. You may pay the fringe into benefit plans, as cash on every hour, or a mix. Overtime after 40 hours is 1.5 times the basic rate; fringe is paid on every hour and never multiplied.
- My trade is not on this sheet. What do I do?
- Do not borrow the nearest name. Ask the contracting agency for a conformance on Standard Form 1444 before the first week of that work, and note it as pending on the payroll.
- Does modification 1 apply to my contract?
- Only if it was in force when your contract was awarded (generally at bid opening). An earlier modification locked into the contract keeps applying, except on option years, added scope and indefinite-quantity contracts. The number and modification are on the first page of the exhibit in your contract.
How to read a wage determination · Paying the fringe in cash or through plans · Overtime on these rates · Fringe credit calculator
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Start a payroll on this sheetOn this sheet
- 27 classifications in 18 rate groups
- 16 from agreements, 1 from surveys
- Counties: New Castle