Prevailing wage rates · Montana · Wage determination
Prevailing wage rates: Beaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine and 55 more counties, Montana
Highway construction · MT20260080 modification 3, published June 4, 2026
The short answer
This sheet sets 27 classifications for highway work in Beaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine and 55 more 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 $44.08 an hour (laborer: group 1 flag person for traffic control) to $87.06 (electrician (line construction): lineman). Your contract may lock an earlier modification.
What changed this year
First published January 16, 2026, this sheet is now on modification 3, and its rates have changed in 2 modifications. Of the 20 rates we can follow line by line from the first publication to today, 20 are higher.
If you bid the job or set pay from an earlier copy, find your trades below. The rates that bind you are the ones in the modification written into your contract.
Latest change
June 4, 2026 · modification 3
20 rates raised; 7 classifications added, 7 classifications removed
- Power equipment operator: 6 rates raised by $4.53 to $5.48 an hour
- Laborer: 4 rates raised by $3.57 to $4.45 an hour
- Carpenter: 2 rates raised by $8.88 to $10.03 an hour
- Ironworker: 2 rates raised by $10.57 to $11.42 an hour
- Truck driver: 2 rates raised by $4.08 to $4.83 an hour
- Cement mason/concrete finisher: 1 rate raised by $15.56 an hour
- Electrician: 1 rate raised by $11.23 an hour
- Painter: 1 rate raised by $4.88 an hour
- and 1 more trade
Every line that changed (20)
| Classification | Was | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARPENTER: CarpenterNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $36.49 + $14.33 | $43.78 + $17.07 | +$10.03 (+19.7%) |
| CARPENTER: MillwrightNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $40.45 + $21.25 | $49.79 + $20.79 | +$8.88 (+14.4%) |
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHERNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $33.41 + $16.51 | $44.98 + $20.50 | +$15.56 (+31.2%) |
| ELECTRICIANNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $39.08 + $20.00 | $48.31 + $22.00 | +$11.23 (+19.0%) |
| IRONWORKER: Reinforcing Iron and Rebar WorkersNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $34.83 + $25.37 | $42.70 + $28.92 | +$11.42 (+19.0%) |
| IRONWORKER: Structural Iron and Steel WorkersNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $30.43 + $25.22 | $38.31 + $27.91 | +$10.57 (+19.0%) |
| LABORER: Group 1 Flag Person for Traffic ControlNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $27.71 + $12.80 | $30.48 + $13.60 | +$3.57 (+8.8%) |
| LABORER: Group 2 General Labor; Asbestos Removal; Burning Bar; Bucket Man; Carpenter Ten…New source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $30.87 + $12.36 | $33.96 + $13.60 | +$4.33 (+10.0%) |
| LABORER: Group 3 Concrete Vibrator; Dumpman (Grademan); Equipment Handler; Geotextile an…New source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $31.10 + $12.36 | $34.21 + $13.60 | +$4.35 (+10.0%) |
| LABORER: Group 4 Hod Carrier; Water Well Laborer; Blaster; Wagon Driller; Asphalt Raker;…New source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $32.12 + $12.36 | $35.33 + $13.60 | +$4.45 (+10.0%) |
| PAINTERNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $36.00 + $12.84 | $39.60 + $14.12 | +$4.88 (+10.0%) |
| PILE BUCKSNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $36.49 + $14.33 | $43.78 + $17.07 | +$10.03 (+19.7%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 Air Compressor; Auto Fine Graders; Belt Finishing; Bor…New source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $32.47 + $12.77 | $35.72 + $14.05 | +$4.53 (+10.0%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 Asphalt Paving Machine; Asphalt Screed; Backhoe/Excava…New source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $35.70 + $12.77 | $39.27 + $14.05 | +$4.85 (+10.0%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 Asphalt/Hot Plant Operator, Cranes, 25 Tons up to and…New source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $36.91 + $12.77 | $40.60 + $14.05 | +$4.97 (+10.0%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 5 Cranes, 45 Tons up to and incl. 74 TonsNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $38.05 + $12.77 | $41.85 + $14.05 | +$5.08 (+10.0%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 6 Cranes, 75 Tons up to and incl. 149 Tons; Crane, Whirl…New source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $39.27 + $12.77 | $43.20 + $14.05 | +$5.21 (+10.0%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 7 Cranes, 150 Tons up to and incl. 250 Tons; Cranes, ove…New source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $41.95 + $12.77 | $46.15 + $14.05 | +$5.48 (+10.0%) |
| TRUCK DRIVER: Group 1 Pilot CarNew source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $28.21 + $12.57 | $31.03 + $13.83 | +$4.08 (+10.0%) |
| TRUCK DRIVER: Group 2 Combination Truck and Concrete Mixer and Transit Mixer; Dry Batch…New source: SAMT2025-001 replaced by SAMT2026-001 | $35.74 + $12.57 | $39.31 + $13.83 | +$4.83 (+10.0%) |
Classifications added or removed
- Added: DIVER: Diver Tender… $59.66 + $20.22
- Added: DIVER: Diving (Diving in Enclosures… $121.53 + $20.22
- Added: DIVER: Stand-By $60.76 + $20.22
- Added: ELECTRICIAN (LINE CONSTRUCTION): Equipment Operator $55.14 + $23.37
- Added: ELECTRICIAN (LINE CONSTRUCTION): Groundman $37.43 + $21.85
- Added: ELECTRICIAN (LINE CONSTRUCTION): Lineman $62.60 + $24.46
- Added: POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 2… $38.00 + $14.05
- Removed: POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 2…
- Removed: LINE CONSTRUCTION: Lineman
- Removed: LINE CONSTRUCTION: Groundman
- Removed: LINE CONSTRUCTION: Equipment Operator
- Removed: DIVER: Standy-By
- Removed: DIVER: Diving
- Removed: DIVER: Diver Tender
Earlier modifications
May 18, 2026 · modification 2Classification names reworded; no change among the 27 lines we could match
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.
January 30, 2026 · modification 11 rate lowered
- Power equipment operator: 1 rate lowered by $1.15 an hour
Every line that changed (1)
Classification Was Now Change POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 2 $35.70 + $12.77 $34.55 + $12.77 −$1.15 (−2.4%)
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 3 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 16 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAMT2026-001 · SAMT, April 25, 2026 | |||||
| CARPENTER: Carpenter | $43.78 | $17.07 | $60.85 | +$10.03 (+19.7%) | SAMT |
| CARPENTER: Millwright | $49.79 | $20.79 | $70.58 | +$8.88 (+14.4%) | SAMT |
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER | $44.98 | $20.50 | $65.48 | +$15.56 (+31.2%) | SAMT |
DIVER: Diver Tender…Full textDIVER: Diver Tender (The Tender shall receive 2 hours at straight time pay rate per shift for dressing and/or undressing when work is done in hyperbaric conditions. Depth Pay (Surface Diving): 0-20 ft. Free Zone; >20-100 ft. $2.00 per ft.; >100-150 ft. $3.00 per ft.; >150-220 ft. $4.00 per ft.; >220+ ft. $5.00 per ft.) | $59.66 | $20.22 | $79.88 | — | SAMT |
DIVER: Diving (Diving in Enclosures…Full textDIVER: Diving (Diving in Enclosures (Diver Only): 0-25 ft. Free Zone; >25-300 ft. $1.00 per ft.) | $121.53 | $20.22 | $141.75 | — | SAMT |
| DIVER: Stand-By | $60.76 | $20.22 | $80.98 | — | SAMT |
| ELECTRICIAN | $48.31 | $22.00 | $70.31 | +$11.23 (+19.0%) | SAMT |
| ELECTRICIAN (LINE CONSTRUCTION): Equipment Operator | $55.14 | $23.37 | $78.51 | — | SAMT |
| ELECTRICIAN (LINE CONSTRUCTION): Groundman | $37.43 | $21.85 | $59.28 | — | SAMT |
| ELECTRICIAN (LINE CONSTRUCTION): Lineman | $62.60 | $24.46 | $87.06 | — | SAMT |
| IRONWORKER: Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers | $42.70 | $28.92 | $71.62 | +$11.42 (+19.0%) | SAMT |
| IRONWORKER: Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $38.31 | $27.91 | $66.22 | +$10.57 (+19.0%) | SAMT |
| LABORER: Group 1 Flag Person for Traffic Control | $30.48 | $13.60 | $44.08 | +$3.57 (+8.8%) | SAMT |
LABORER: Group 2…Full textLABORER: Group 2 General Labor; Asbestos Removal; Burning Bar; Bucket Man; Carpenter Tender; Caisson Worker; Cement Mason Tender; Cement Handler (dry); Chuck Tender; Choker Setter; Concrete Worker; Curb Machine-Lay Down; Crusher and Batch Worker; Heater Tender; Fence Erector; Landscape Laborer; Landscaper; Lawn Sprinkler Installer; Pipe Wrapper; Pot Tender; Powderman Tender; Rail and Truck Loaders and Unloaders; Riprapper; Sign Erection; Guardrail and Jersey Rail; Spike Driver; Stake Jumper; Signalman: Tail Hoseman; Tool Checker and Houseman and Traffic Control Worker | $33.96 | $13.60 | $47.56 | +$4.33 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
LABORER: Group 3…Full textLABORER: Group 3 Concrete Vibrator; Dumpman (Grademan); Equipment Handler; Geotextile and Liners; High-Pressure Nozzleman; Jackhammer (Pavement Breaker) Non-Riding Rollers; Pipelayer; Posthole Digger (power); Power Driven Wheelbarrow; Rigger; Sandblaster; Sod-Cutter-power and Tampers | $34.21 | $13.60 | $47.81 | +$4.35 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
LABORER: Group 4…Full textLABORER: Group 4 Hod Carrier; Water Well Laborer; Blaster; Wagon Driller; Asphalt Raker; Cutting Torch; Grade Setter; High- Scaler; Power Saws (Faller & Concrete); Powderman; Rock & Core Drill; Track or Truck Mounted Wagon Drill and Welder incl. Air Arc | $35.33 | $13.60 | $48.93 | +$4.45 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
| PAINTER | $39.60 | $14.12 | $53.72 | +$4.88 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
| PILE BUCKS | $43.78 | $17.07 | $60.85 | +$10.03 (+19.7%) | SAMT |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 Air Compressor; Auto Fine Graders; Belt Finishing; Boring Machine (small); Cement Silo; Crane, A-Frame Truck Crane; Crusher Conveyor; DW-10, 15, and 20 Tractor Roller; Farm Tractor; Forklift; Form Grader; Front End Loader Under 1 CU Yard; Heavy Duty Drills; Herman Nelson Heater; Mulching Machine; Oiler, All Except Cranes & Shovels; Pumpman | $35.72 | $14.05 | $49.77 | +$4.53 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 2…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 2 Air Doctor; Backhoe/Excavator/Shovel up to and including 3 CU Yard; Bit Grinder; Bituminous Paving Travel Plant; Boring Machine Large; Broom, Self-Propelled; Concrete Travel Batcher; Concrete Float & Spreader; Concrete Bucket Dispatcher; Concrete Finish Machine; Concrete Conveyor; Distributor; Dozer; Rubber-Tired, Push & Side Boom; Elevating Grader/Gradall; Field Equipment Serviceman; Front End Loader 1 CU Yard to including 5 CU Yard; Grade Setter; Heavy Duty Drills, All Types; Hoist/Tugger, All; Hydra lift Forklifts & Similar; Industrial Locomotive; Motor Patrol (except finish); Mountain Skidder; Oiler, Cranes\Shovels; Pavement Breaker, EMSCO; Power Saw, Self-Propelled; Pugmill; Pumpcrete\Grout Machine; Punch Truck; Roller, Other Than Asphalt; Roller, Sheepsfoot (Self-Propelled); Roller, 25 Tons and Over; Ross Carrier; Rotomill Under 6 Ft; Trenching Machine; Washing/Screening Plant | $38.00 | $14.05 | $52.05 | — | SAMT |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 Asphalt Paving Machine; Asphalt Screed; Backhoe/Excavator/Shovel Over 3 CU Yard; Cableway Highline; Concrete Batch Plant; Concrete Curing Machine; Concrete Pump; Cranes; Creter; Cranes, Electric Overhead; Cranes 24 Tons and Under; Curb Machine/Slip Form Paver; Finish Dozer; Front End Loader Over 5 CU Yard; Mechanic/Welder; Pioneer Dozer; Roller Asphalt (Breakdown & Finish); Rotomill, Over 6 FT; Scraper, Single, Twin or Pulling Belly Dump; Yo-Yo Cat Haul Truck, Articulating Trucks, Vac Truck | $39.27 | $14.05 | $53.32 | +$4.85 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 Asphalt/Hot Plant Operator, Cranes, 25 Tons up to and incl. 44 Tons; Crusher Operator; Finish Motor Patrol; Finish Scraper | $40.60 | $14.05 | $54.65 | +$4.97 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 5 Cranes, 45 Tons up to and incl. 74 Tons | $41.85 | $14.05 | $55.90 | +$5.08 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 6…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 6 Cranes, 75 Tons up to and incl. 149 Tons; Crane, Whirley (All) | $43.20 | $14.05 | $57.25 | +$5.21 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 7…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 7 Cranes, 150 Tons up to and incl. 250 Tons; Cranes, over 250 tons-add $1.00 for every 100 tons over 250 tons; Crane, Tower (All); Crane Stiff-Leg or Derrick; Helicopter Hoist | $46.15 | $14.05 | $60.20 | +$5.48 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
| TRUCK DRIVER: Group 1 Pilot Car | $31.03 | $13.83 | $44.86 | +$4.08 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
TRUCK DRIVER: Group 2…Full textTRUCK DRIVER: Group 2 Combination Truck and Concrete Mixer and Transit Mixer; Dry Batch Trucks; Distributor Driver; Dumpman; Dump Trucks and Similar Equipment; Dumpster; Flat Trucks; Lumber Carriers; Lowboys; Pickup; Powder Truck Driver; Power Boom; Serviceman; Service Truck/Fuel Truck/Tireperson; Truck Mechanic; Trucks with Power Equipment; Warehouseman, Partsman, Cardex and Warehouse Expeditor; Water Trucks | $39.31 | $13.83 | $53.14 | +$4.83 (+10.0%) | SAMT |
Modification history
| Modification 1 | January 30, 2026 |
| Modification 2 | May 18, 2026 |
| Modification 3 | June 4, 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 MT20260080?
- 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 3 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 MT20260080 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 1 rate groups
- 0 from agreements, 0 from surveys
- Counties: Beaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sanders, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, Lewis, Clark