Prevailing wage rates · Virginia · Wage determination
Prevailing wage rates: the city of Portsmouth, Virginia
Building construction · VA20260161 modification 2, published May 18, 2026
The short answer
This sheet sets 32 classifications for building work in the city of Portsmouth, Virginia. Each line is a basic hourly rate plus a fringe rate, and the sum is the minimum you must pay for that work, from $14.55 an hour (laborer: common or general, including demolition and pipelaying) to $90.50 (elevator mechanic a). Your contract may lock an earlier modification.
Scope
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (does not include single family homes or apartments up to and including 4 stories)
* Designates Independent City
What changed this year
First published January 2, 2026, this sheet is now on modification 2, and its rates have changed in 2 modifications. Of the 32 rates we can follow line by line from the first publication to today, 2 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
May 18, 2026 · modification 2
4 fringe formulas changed; 1 classification removed
- Asbestos worker/heat & frost insulator: 1 fringe formula changed
- Electrician: 1 fringe formula changed
- Elevator mechanic a.: 1 fringe formula changed
- Ironworker: 1 fringe formula changed
Every line that changed (4)
| Classification | Was | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASBESTOS WORKER/HEAT & FROST INSULATOR - MECHANICAL (DUCT, PIPE & MECHANICAL SYSTEM INSU… | $40.77 + 20.17+a | $40.77 + $20.17 | changed |
| ELECTRICIAN: INCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND ALARM INSTALLATION. A. WORKMEN SHALL TAKE O… | $36.85 + 17.18%+7.80+a | $36.85 + $14.13 | changed |
| ELEVATOR MECHANIC A. | $52.06 + 38.435+a+b | $52.06 + $38.44 | changed |
| IRONWORKER, RIGGER | $30.22 + 11%+14.24 | $30.22 + $17.56 | changed |
Classifications added or removed
- Removed: BRICKLAYER
Earlier modifications
January 30, 2026 · modification 12 rates raised
- Pipefitter: 1 rate raised by $4.00 an hour
- Plumber: 1 rate raised by $4.00 an hour
Every line that changed (2)
Classification Was Now Change PIPEFITTER (Includes HVAC Pipe, Unit and Temperature Controls Installations) $33.67 + $17.50 $36.92 + $18.25 +$4.00 (+7.8%) PLUMBER $33.67 + $17.50 $36.92 + $18.25 +$4.00 (+7.8%)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASBE0024-006 · Asbestos Workers and Heat & Frost Insulators agreement, October 1, 2024 | |||||
ASBESTOS WORKER/HEAT & FROST INSULATOR - MECHANICAL…Full textASBESTOS WORKER/HEAT & FROST INSULATOR - MECHANICAL (DUCT, PIPE & MECHANICAL SYSTEM INSULATION) A. PAID HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY, MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, LABOR DAY, VETERANS' DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY,THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS DAY PROVIDED THE EMPLOYEE WORKS THE REGULAR WORK DAY BEFORE AND AFTER THE PAID HOLIDAY | $40.77 | $20.17 | $60.94 | changed | Agreement, 2024 |
| BOIL0045-003 · Boilermakers agreement, January 1, 2025 | |||||
| BOILERMAKER | $38.97 | $27.39 | $66.36 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| ELEC0080-010 · Electrical Workers (IBEW) agreement, June 1, 2025 | |||||
ELECTRICIAN: INCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND ALARM INSTALLATION. A. WORKMEN SHALL TAKE OFF 1 HOUR WITH PAY…Full textELECTRICIAN: INCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND ALARM INSTALLATION. A. WORKMEN SHALL TAKE OFF 1 HOUR WITH PAY, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE EMPLOYER, ON STATE AND NATIONAL ELECTION DAYS; TUESDAY FOLLOWING THE FIRST MONDAY IN NOVEMBER, PROVIDED THEY ARE QUALIFIED AND VOTE | $36.85 | $14.13 | $50.98 | changed | Agreement, 2025 |
| ELEV0052-005 · Elevator Constructors agreement, January 1, 2025 | |||||
| ELEVATOR MECHANIC A. PAID HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, LABOR DAY, VETERANS' DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY, THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING DAY AND CHRISTMAS DAY. B. VACATIONS: 6% MEN UNDER 5 YEARS BASED ON REGULAR HOURLY RATE AND 8% MEN OVER 5 YEARS BASED ON REGULAR HOURLY RATE FOR ALL HOURS WORKED | $52.06 | $38.44 | $90.50 | changed | Agreement, 2025 |
| ENGI0147-019 · Operating Engineers agreement, June 1, 2025 | |||||
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $39.99 | $18.05 | $58.04 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR…Full textPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES 90 TONS & OVER CAPACITY; TOWER & CLIMBING CRANES WITH CONTROLS 100 FT. ABOVE GROUND) | $40.99 | $18.05 | $59.04 | no change | Agreement, 2025 |
| IRON0028-006 · Ironworkers agreement, May 1, 2023 | |||||
| IRONWORKER, RIGGER | $30.22 | $17.56 | $47.78 | changed | Agreement, 2023 |
| IRON0028-007 · Ironworkers agreement, May 1, 2024 | |||||
| IRONWORKER: STRUCTURAL AND ORNAMENTAL | $31.00 | $18.28 | $49.28 | no change | Agreement, 2024 |
| PLUM0110-008 · Plumbers and Pipefitters agreement, November 1, 2025 | |||||
| PLUMBER | $36.92 | $18.25 | $55.17 | +$4.00 (+7.8%) | Agreement, 2025 |
| PIPEFITTER (INCLUDES HVAC PIPE, UNIT AND TEMPERATURE CONTROLS INSTALLATIONS) | $36.92 | $18.25 | $55.17 | +$4.00 (+7.8%) | Agreement, 2025 |
| SUVA2013-045 · Survey of contractors in VA, January 11, 2016 | |||||
| TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK | $15.50 | $0.75 | $16.25 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| TILE SETTER | $27.80 | $10.25 | $38.05 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| TILE FINISHER | $23.40 | $0.00 | $23.40 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| SPRINKLER FITTER (FIRE SPRINKLERS) | $18.91 | $4.67 | $23.58 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| SHEET METAL WORKER, INCLUDES HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION | $19.24 | $2.80 | $22.04 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| ROOFER | $18.40 | $2.31 | $20.71 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| PAINTER: SPRAY | $18.10 | $5.43 | $23.53 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| PAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER) | $16.87 | $0.00 | $16.87 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| OPERATOR: ROLLER | $16.25 | $4.88 | $21.13 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| OPERATOR: LOADER | $21.28 | $3.17 | $24.45 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| OPERATOR: FORKLIFT | $19.40 | $7.00 | $26.40 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZER | $18.07 | $3.50 | $21.57 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADER | $18.95 | $4.03 | $22.98 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.69 | $1.35 | $22.04 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL, INCLUDING DEMOLITION AND PIPELAYING | $12.06 | $2.49 | $14.55 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETE | $12.96 | $3.12 | $16.08 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - BRICK | $13.48 | $3.27 | $16.75 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| IRONWORKER, REINFORCING | $27.18 | $4.13 | $31.31 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| GLAZIER | $19.36 | $4.68 | $24.04 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER | $17.48 | $0.00 | $17.48 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| CAULKER | $18.49 | $1.33 | $19.82 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
| CARPENTER, INCLUDES ACOUSTICAL CEILING INSTALLATION, DRYWALL HANGING, AND FORM WORK | $17.00 | $0.00 | $17.00 | no change | Survey, 2016 |
Modification history
| Modification 1 | January 30, 2026 |
| Modification 2 | 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 VA20260161?
- 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 VA20260161 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
- 32 classifications in 9 rate groups
- 8 from agreements, 1 from surveys
- Independent city: Portsmouth