Prevailing wage rates · Montana · Wage determination
Prevailing wage rates: Big Horn and Prairie Counties, Montana
Building construction · MT20260056 modification 1, published May 18, 2026
The short answer
This sheet sets 27 classifications for building work in Big Horn and Prairie Counties, Montana. Each line is a basic hourly rate plus a fringe rate, and the sum is the minimum you must pay for that work, from $17.58 an hour (laborer: common or general) to $106.05 (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
Classification names reworded; 2 fringe formulas changed among the 27 lines we could match
- Electrician: 1 fringe formula changed
- Elevator mechanic: 1 fringe formula changed
SAM.gov reworded this sheet’s classification names in this modification, so not every line can be matched to the one before. Only lines matched with certainty are compared here; nothing is guessed. If your trade is not listed, compare it against your contract’s copy.
Every line that changed (2)
| Classification | Was | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICIAN | $43.92 + 5.5%+15.75 | $43.92 + $18.17 | changed |
| ELEVATOR MECHANIC | $67.61 + 38.435+a+b | $67.61 + $38.44 | changed |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASBE0082-002 · Asbestos Workers and Heat & Frost Insulators agreement, August 1, 2024 | |||||
| HEAT AND FROST INSULATOR | $43.81 | $21.87 | $65.68 | no change | Agreement, 2024 |
| BOIL0011-002 · Boilermakers agreement, January 1, 2025 | |||||
| BOILERMAKER | $38.75 | $32.31 | $71.06 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| BRMT0010-001 · Bricklayers agreement, June 1, 2020 | |||||
| BRICKLAYER | $30.55 | $15.75 | $46.30 | no change | Agreement, 2020 |
| CARP0082-012 · Carpenters agreement, June 1, 2025 | |||||
CARPENTER: FORM WORK ONLY ZONE DEFINITION…Full textCARPENTER: FORM WORK ONLY ZONE DEFINITION: THE HOURLY RATE APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT IS DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL ROUTE FROM THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING TOWNS TO THE CETER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, LEWISTON, MILES CITY, AND MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE RATE ZONE 2: 31 TO 60 MILES - $4.00 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - $6.00 | $32.05 | $15.02 | $47.07 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| CARP1607-007 · Carpenters agreement, June 1, 2025 | |||||
MILLWRIGHT ZONE DEFINITION…Full textMILLWRIGHT ZONE DEFINITION: THE HOURLY RATE APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT IS DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL ROUTE FROM THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, LEWISTON, MILES CITY, AND MISSOULA. ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES- BASE RATE. ZONE 2: 31 TO 60 MILES - $4.00. ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - $6.00 | $46.21 | $23.50 | $69.71 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| ELEC0532-006 · Electrical Workers (IBEW) agreement, June 1, 2025 | |||||
| ELECTRICIAN | $43.92 | $18.17 | $62.09 | changed | Agreement, 2025 |
| ELEV0019-005 · Elevator Constructors agreement, January 1, 2025 | |||||
| ELEVATOR MECHANIC FOOTNOTE: A. EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTES 8% OF THE BASIC HOURLY RATE FOR OVER 5 YEAR'S SERVICE AND 6% OF THE BASIC HOURLY RATE FOR 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS' OF SERVICE AS VACATION PAID CREDIT. B. EIGHT PAID HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY; MEMORIAL DAY; INDEPENDENCE DAY; LABOR DAY; VETERAN'S DAY; THANKSGIVING DAY; FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS DAY | $67.61 | $38.44 | $106.05 | changed | Agreement, 2025 |
| ENGI0400-003 · Operating Engineers agreement, May 1, 2025 | |||||
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (7) CRANES, 150 TONS TO INCLUDING 250 TONS (ADD $1.00 FOR EVERY 100 TONS OVER 250 TONS); CRANE, TOWER (ALL) ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $42.00 | $16.20 | $58.20 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (6) CRANES 75 TO 144 TONS, WHIRLEY CRANES ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $40.00 | $16.20 | $56.20 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (5) CRANES 45-74 TONS ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $38.00 | $16.20 | $54.20 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (4) CRANES 25-44 TONS ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $38.00 | $16.20 | $54.20 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (1) A-FRAME TRUCK CRANE ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $21.51 | $16.20 | $37.71 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| IRON0732-014 · Ironworkers agreement, June 1, 2024 | |||||
| IRONWORKER, REINFORCING | $36.83 | $25.30 | $62.13 | no change | Agreement, 2024 |
| PLUM0030-005 · Plumbers and Pipefitters agreement, September 1, 2024 | |||||
| PLUMBER/PIPEFITTER (Excluding HVAC Pipe Installation) | $44.35 | $21.87 | $66.22 | no change | Agreement, 2024 |
| SHEE0103-009 · Sheet Metal Workers agreement, June 1, 2025 | |||||
| SHEET METAL WORKER (HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION ONLY) | $40.00 | $22.07 | $62.07 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| SUMT2011-032 · Survey of contractors in MT, January 4, 2011 | |||||
| TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK | $18.88 | $4.66 | $23.54 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| ROOFER | $17.36 | $3.83 | $21.19 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| PLUMBER (HVAC PIPE INSTALLATION) | $25.75 | $10.87 | $36.62 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| PAINTER: BRUSH, ROLLER AND SPRAY | $19.18 | $0.00 | $19.18 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| OPERATOR: FORKLIFT | $21.44 | $8.05 | $29.49 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| OPERATOR: EXCAVATOR | $22.98 | $5.57 | $28.55 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - BRICK | $18.37 | $5.94 | $24.31 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $14.47 | $3.11 | $17.58 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| IRONWORKER, STRUCTURAL | $20.45 | $12.76 | $33.21 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER | $18.27 | $1.50 | $19.77 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| CARPENTER, EXCLUDES DRYWALL HANGING, AND FORM WORK | $16.70 | $2.31 | $19.01 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
| CARPENTER (DRYWALL HANGING ONLY) | $22.69 | $0.00 | $22.69 | no change | Survey, 2011 |
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 MT20260056?
- 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
Put these rates on a certified payroll.
Start here and MT20260056 is already filled in when you set up the job. CertifiedHours loads this sheet, checks every line against it as you type hours, and prints the WH-347. Free for one payroll a month.
Start a payroll on this sheetOn this sheet
- 27 classifications in 12 rate groups
- 11 from agreements, 1 from surveys
- Counties: Big Horn, Prairie