Prevailing wage rates · South Carolina · Wage determination
Prevailing wage rates: Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester and Horry Counties, South Carolina
Highway construction · SC20260034 modification 2, published October 22, 2026
The short answer
This sheet sets 42 classifications for highway work in Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester and Horry Counties, South Carolina. Each line is a basic hourly rate plus a fringe rate, and the sum is the minimum you must pay for that work, from $14.37 an hour (laborer: common or general (horry)) to $36.56 (power equipment operator: crane (berkeley, dorchester)). Your contract may lock an earlier modification.
Scope
Non-collectively bargained prevailing wage and fringe benefits rates within this general wage determination were revised pursuant to 29 CFR 1.6(c)(1) on 10/22/2026.
What changed this year
First published January 2, 2026, this sheet is now on modification 2, and its rates have changed in 1 modification. Of the 42 rates we can follow line by line from the first publication to today, 42 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
October 22, 2026 · modification 2
42 rates raised
- Power equipment operator: 21 rates raised by $5.26 to $11.83 an hour
- Laborer: 12 rates raised by $4.65 to $6.69 an hour
- Carpenter: 3 rates raised by $6.25 to $6.83 an hour
- Cement mason/concrete finisher: 3 rates raised by $6.85 to $7.07 an hour
- Truck driver: 2 rates raised by $5.10 to $7.44 an hour
- Ironworker: 1 rate raised by $7.34 an hour
Every line that changed (42)
| Classification | Was | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARPENTER, FORM WORK ONLY (BERKELEY, DORCHESTER) | $13.50 + $0.00 | $19.96 + $0.00 | +$6.46 (+47.9%) |
| CARPENTER, FORM WORK ONLY (CHARLESTON) | $13.07 + $0.00 | $19.32 + $0.00 | +$6.25 (+47.8%) |
| CARPENTER, FORM WORK ONLY (HORRY) | $14.29 + $0.00 | $21.12 + $0.00 | +$6.83 (+47.8%) |
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER (BERKELEY, DORCHESTER) | $14.79 + $0.00 | $21.86 + $0.00 | +$7.07 (+47.8%) |
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER (CHARLESTON) | $14.33 + $0.00 | $21.18 + $0.00 | +$6.85 (+47.8%) |
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER (HORRY) | $14.62 + $0.00 | $21.61 + $0.00 | +$6.99 (+47.8%) |
| IRONWORKER, REINFORCING | $15.35 + $0.00 | $22.69 + $0.00 | +$7.34 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER, LUTEMAN | $11.61 + $0.00 | $17.16 + $0.00 | +$5.55 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER, TRAFFIC CONTROL-FLAGGER | $11.07 + $0.00 | $16.36 + $0.00 | +$5.29 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER, ASPHALT, INCLUDES ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR, RAKER, SHOVELER, AND SPREADER (BERKELEY,… | $11.62 + $0.00 | $17.18 + $0.00 | +$5.56 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER, ASPHALT, INCLUDES ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR, SHOVELER AND SPREADER (HORRY) | $11.54 + $0.00 | $17.06 + $0.00 | +$5.52 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER, TRAFFIC CONTROL-CONE SETTER (BERKELEY, CHARLESTON, DORECHESTER) | $13.19 + $0.00 | $19.50 + $0.00 | +$6.31 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER, TRAFFIC CONTROL-CONE SETTER (HORRY) | $12.63 + $0.00 | $18.67 + $0.00 | +$6.04 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL (BERKELEY) | $10.06 + $0.00 | $14.87 + $0.00 | +$4.81 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL (CHARLESTON) | $10.16 + $0.00 | $15.02 + $0.00 | +$4.86 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL (DORCHESTER) | $11.69 + $0.00 | $17.28 + $0.00 | +$5.59 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL (HORRY) | $9.72 + $0.00 | $14.37 + $0.00 | +$4.65 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER-CEMENT/CONCRETE | $10.40 + $0.00 | $15.37 + $0.00 | +$4.97 (+47.8%) |
| LABORER: PIPELAYER | $13.98 + $0.00 | $20.67 + $0.00 | +$6.69 (+47.9%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (BERKELEY) | $15.68 + $0.00 | $23.18 + $0.00 | +$7.50 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (CHARLESTON) | $16.09 + $0.00 | $23.79 + $0.00 | +$7.70 (+47.9%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (DORCHESTER) | $16.06 + $0.00 | $23.74 + $0.00 | +$7.68 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (HORRY) | $15.04 + $0.00 | $22.23 + $0.00 | +$7.19 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZER | $14.81 + $0.00 | $21.89 + $0.00 | +$7.08 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (BERKELEY, DORCHESTER) | $20.00 + $4.73 | $29.57 + $6.99 | +$11.83 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (CHARLESTON) | $20.08 + $0.00 | $29.68 + $0.00 | +$9.60 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (HORRY) | $20.58 + $0.00 | $30.42 + $0.00 | +$9.84 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADE | $14.61 + $0.00 | $21.60 + $0.00 | +$6.99 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HYDROSEEDER | $11.00 + $0.00 | $16.26 + $0.00 | +$5.26 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END/TRACK) | $16.80 + $0.00 | $24.84 + $0.00 | +$8.04 (+47.9%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANIC (BERKELEY, DORCHESTER) | $19.07 + $0.00 | $28.19 + $0.00 | +$9.12 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANIC (CHARLESTON) | $19.21 + $0.00 | $28.40 + $0.00 | +$9.19 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANIC (HORRY) | $19.48 + $0.00 | $28.80 + $0.00 | +$9.32 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINE | $11.84 + $0.00 | $17.50 + $0.00 | +$5.66 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: PAVER (BERKELEY, CHARLESTON, DORCHESTER) | $18.85 + $0.00 | $27.87 + $0.00 | +$9.02 (+47.9%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: PAVER (HORRY) | $13.29 + $0.00 | $19.65 + $0.00 | +$6.36 (+47.9%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLER | $15.17 + $0.00 | $22.43 + $0.00 | +$7.26 (+47.9%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCRAPER | $12.71 + $0.00 | $18.79 + $0.00 | +$6.08 (+47.8%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCREED | $13.56 + $0.00 | $20.05 + $0.00 | +$6.49 (+47.9%) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: TRACTOR | $13.28 + $0.00 | $19.63 + $0.00 | +$6.35 (+47.8%) |
| TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK | $10.67 + $0.00 | $15.77 + $0.00 | +$5.10 (+47.8%) |
| TRUCK DRIVER: LOWBOY TRUCK | $15.55 + $0.00 | $22.99 + $0.00 | +$7.44 (+47.8%) |
Earlier modifications
May 18, 2026 · modification 1Classification names reworded; no change among the 42 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.
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 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSC2011-032 · Survey of contractors in SC, September 15, 2011 | |||||
| CARPENTER, FORM WORK ONLY (BERKELEY, DORCHESTER) | $19.96 | $0.00 | $19.96 | +$6.46 (+47.9%) | Survey, 2011 |
| CARPENTER, FORM WORK ONLY (CHARLESTON) | $19.32 | $0.00 | $19.32 | +$6.25 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| CARPENTER, FORM WORK ONLY (HORRY) | $21.12 | $0.00 | $21.12 | +$6.83 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER (BERKELEY, DORCHESTER) | $21.86 | $0.00 | $21.86 | +$7.07 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER (CHARLESTON) | $21.18 | $0.00 | $21.18 | +$6.85 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER (HORRY) | $21.61 | $0.00 | $21.61 | +$6.99 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| IRONWORKER, REINFORCING | $22.69 | $0.00 | $22.69 | +$7.34 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER, LUTEMAN | $17.16 | $0.00 | $17.16 | +$5.55 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER, TRAFFIC CONTROL-FLAGGER | $16.36 | $0.00 | $16.36 | +$5.29 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
LABORER, ASPHALT, INCLUDES ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR…Full textLABORER, ASPHALT, INCLUDES ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR, RAKER, SHOVELER, AND SPREADER (BERKELEY, CHARLESTON, DORCHESTER) | $17.18 | $0.00 | $17.18 | +$5.56 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER, ASPHALT, INCLUDES ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR, SHOVELER AND SPREADER (HORRY) | $17.06 | $0.00 | $17.06 | +$5.52 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER, TRAFFIC CONTROL-CONE SETTER (BERKELEY, CHARLESTON, DORECHESTER) | $19.50 | $0.00 | $19.50 | +$6.31 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER, TRAFFIC CONTROL-CONE SETTER (HORRY) | $18.67 | $0.00 | $18.67 | +$6.04 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL (BERKELEY) | $14.87 | $0.00 | $14.87 | +$4.81 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL (CHARLESTON) | $15.02 | $0.00 | $15.02 | +$4.86 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL (DORCHESTER) | $17.28 | $0.00 | $17.28 | +$5.59 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL (HORRY) | $14.37 | $0.00 | $14.37 | +$4.65 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER-CEMENT/CONCRETE | $15.37 | $0.00 | $15.37 | +$4.97 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| LABORER: PIPELAYER | $20.67 | $0.00 | $20.67 | +$6.69 (+47.9%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (BERKELEY) | $23.18 | $0.00 | $23.18 | +$7.50 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (CHARLESTON) | $23.79 | $0.00 | $23.79 | +$7.70 (+47.9%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (DORCHESTER) | $23.74 | $0.00 | $23.74 | +$7.68 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (HORRY) | $22.23 | $0.00 | $22.23 | +$7.19 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZER | $21.89 | $0.00 | $21.89 | +$7.08 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (BERKELEY, DORCHESTER) | $29.57 | $6.99 | $36.56 | +$11.83 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (CHARLESTON) | $29.68 | $0.00 | $29.68 | +$9.60 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (HORRY) | $30.42 | $0.00 | $30.42 | +$9.84 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADE | $21.60 | $0.00 | $21.60 | +$6.99 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HYDROSEEDER | $16.26 | $0.00 | $16.26 | +$5.26 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END/TRACK) | $24.84 | $0.00 | $24.84 | +$8.04 (+47.9%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANIC (BERKELEY, DORCHESTER) | $28.19 | $0.00 | $28.19 | +$9.12 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANIC (CHARLESTON) | $28.40 | $0.00 | $28.40 | +$9.19 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANIC (HORRY) | $28.80 | $0.00 | $28.80 | +$9.32 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINE | $17.50 | $0.00 | $17.50 | +$5.66 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: PAVER (BERKELEY, CHARLESTON, DORCHESTER) | $27.87 | $0.00 | $27.87 | +$9.02 (+47.9%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: PAVER (HORRY) | $19.65 | $0.00 | $19.65 | +$6.36 (+47.9%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLER | $22.43 | $0.00 | $22.43 | +$7.26 (+47.9%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCRAPER | $18.79 | $0.00 | $18.79 | +$6.08 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCREED | $20.05 | $0.00 | $20.05 | +$6.49 (+47.9%) | Survey, 2011 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: TRACTOR | $19.63 | $0.00 | $19.63 | +$6.35 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK | $15.77 | $0.00 | $15.77 | +$5.10 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
| TRUCK DRIVER: LOWBOY TRUCK | $22.99 | $0.00 | $22.99 | +$7.44 (+47.8%) | Survey, 2011 |
Modification history
| Modification 0 | January 2, 2026 |
| Modification 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Modification 2 | October 22, 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 SC20260034?
- 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 2 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 SC20260034 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
- 42 classifications in 1 rate groups
- 0 from agreements, 1 from surveys
- Counties: Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Horry