Prevailing wage rates in Jefferson County, AL
Davis-Bacon rates as of May 18, 2026, in the Birmingham, AL BLS area
Electricians on federal building jobs in Jefferson County must be paid at least $17.51 an hour plus $2.40 an hour in fringe benefits (AL20260087, modification 1, published May 18, 2026). Jefferson County has 6 active determinations covering building, residential, highway and heavy construction; every rate is below.
Prevailing rate vs. market pay
The Davis-Bacon package (rate plus fringe) across the county's determinations, beside what the trade earns in the area according to the BLS (May 2025 median hourly wage for the metro).
| Trade | Davis-Bacon package | BLS median |
|---|---|---|
| Electricians | $11.67 – $24.90 | $27.23 an hour |
| Plumbers and pipefitters | $12.80 – $51.01 | $28.89 an hour |
| Carpenters | $13.21 – $28.85 | $24.23 an hour |
| Power equipment operators | $11.20 – $46.62 | $26.12 an hour |
| Ironworkers | $10.46 – $47.78 | $28.45 an hour |
| Roofers | $10.00 – $13.66 | $22.41 an hour |
Building construction
Determination AL20260087, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 29 classifications.
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | ||||
| ELECTRICIAN | $17.51 | $2.40 | $19.91 | Survey |
| Plumbers and pipefitters | ||||
| PIPEFITTER (INCLUDES HVAC PIPE INSTALLATION) | $35.25 | $15.76 | $51.01 | Union |
| SPRINKLER FITTER (FIRE SPRINKLERS) | $20.00 | $3.77 | $23.77 | Survey |
| PLUMBER, EXCLUDES HVAC PIPE INSTALLATION | $18.97 | $0.36 | $19.33 | Survey |
| Carpenters | ||||
| CARPENTER, INCLUDES DRYWALL FINISHING/TAPING, DRYWALL HANGING… | $18.43 | $0.00 | $18.43 | Survey |
| Laborers | ||||
| LABORER: PIPELAYER | $15.59 | $0.00 | $15.59 | Survey |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $14.63 | $3.88 | $18.51 | Survey |
| Power equipment operators | ||||
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFT | $32.57 | $14.05 | $46.62 | Union |
| OPERATOR: ROLLER | $14.00 | $1.78 | $15.78 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: LOADER | $14.69 | $0.00 | $14.69 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADE | $17.52 | $0.89 | $18.41 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZER | $19.96 | $0.40 | $20.36 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $18.93 | $4.20 | $23.13 | Survey |
| Ironworkers | ||||
| IRONWORKER, STRUCTURAL | $33.75 | $14.03 | $47.78 | Union |
| Sheet metal workers | ||||
| SHEET METAL WORKER, INCLUDES HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION | $28.00 | $4.17 | $32.17 | Survey |
| Painters | ||||
| PAINTER: SPRAY | $14.31 | $0.00 | $14.31 | Survey |
| PAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER) | $15.31 | $1.41 | $16.72 | Survey |
| Roofers | ||||
| ROOFER | $13.66 | $0.00 | $13.66 | Survey |
| Cement masons | ||||
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER | $19.19 | $0.00 | $19.19 | Survey |
| Bricklayers | ||||
| BRICKLAYER | $22.00 | $0.00 | $22.00 | Survey |
| Truck drivers | ||||
| TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK | $13.60 | $0.00 | $13.60 | Survey |
Every other classification (8)
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASBESTOS WORKER/HEAT & FROST INSULATOR | $31.10 | $16.40 | $47.50 | Union |
| BOILERMAKER | $34.21 | $23.92 | $58.13 | Union |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE | $32.57 | $14.05 | $46.62 | Union |
| IRONWORKER, REINFORCING | $33.75 | $14.03 | $47.78 | Union |
| TILE SETTER | $20.00 | $0.00 | $20.00 | Survey |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETE | $14.23 | $0.00 | $14.23 | Survey |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - BRICK | $12.22 | $0.00 | $12.22 | Survey |
| GLAZIER | $23.00 | $5.64 | $28.64 | Survey |
Rate and fringe are per hour unless a row says per day. Total is the rate plus the fringe. Union rows come from a collective bargaining agreement; survey rows from a Department of Labor wage survey, which can be years old.
Residential construction
Determination AL20260046, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 18 classifications.
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | ||||
| ELECTRICIAN, INCLUDES INSTALLATION OF HVAC/TEMPERATURE CONTROLS | $11.67 | $0.00 | $11.67 | Survey |
| Plumbers and pipefitters | ||||
| PLUMBER | $12.80 | $0.00 | $12.80 | Survey |
| Carpenters | ||||
| CARPENTER, INCLUDES FORM WORK | $12.94 | $0.27 | $13.21 | Survey |
| Laborers | ||||
| LABORER: PIPELAYER | $9.00 | $0.00 | $9.00 | Survey |
| LABORER: LANDSCAPE | $7.66 | $0.00 | $7.66 | Survey |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $8.00 | $0.00 | $8.00 | Survey |
| Power equipment operators | ||||
| OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END) | $12.52 | $0.00 | $12.52 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZER | $12.60 | $0.00 | $12.60 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE | $11.20 | $0.00 | $11.20 | Survey |
| Ironworkers | ||||
| IRONWORKER, STRUCTURAL | $11.91 | $3.40 | $15.31 | Survey |
| IRONWORKER, ORNAMENTAL | $10.46 | $0.00 | $10.46 | Survey |
| Sheet metal workers | ||||
| SHEET METAL WORKER, INCLUDES HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION | $12.28 | $0.00 | $12.28 | Survey |
| Painters | ||||
| PAINTER | $9.38 | $0.00 | $9.38 | Survey |
| Roofers | ||||
| ROOFER, INCLUDES BUILT UP, METAL, SHAKE & SHINGLE, AND SINGLE… | $10.00 | $0.00 | $10.00 | Survey |
| Cement masons | ||||
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER | $11.75 | $0.00 | $11.75 | Survey |
| Bricklayers | ||||
| BRICKLAYER | $13.29 | $0.00 | $13.29 | Survey |
| Truck drivers | ||||
| TRUCK DRIVER | $9.86 | $0.00 | $9.86 | Survey |
Every other classification (1)
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETE | $7.88 | $0.00 | $7.88 | Survey |
Rate and fringe are per hour unless a row says per day. Total is the rate plus the fringe. Union rows come from a collective bargaining agreement; survey rows from a Department of Labor wage survey, which can be years old.
Highway construction
Determination AL20260157, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 46 classifications.
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | ||||
| ELECTRICIAN | $19.73 | $0.00 | $19.73 | Survey |
| Carpenters | ||||
| FORM WORKER | $17.13 | $0.00 | $17.13 | Survey |
| Laborers | ||||
| LABORER: EROSION CONTROL | $10.88 | $0.00 | $10.88 | Survey |
| LABORER: PIPELAYER | $17.49 | $0.00 | $17.49 | Survey |
| LABORER: CONCRETE WORKER | $14.57 | $0.00 | $14.57 | Survey |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $12.54 | $0.00 | $12.54 | Survey |
| LABORER: ASPHALT, INCLUDES RAKER, SHOVELER, SPREADER AND… | $14.11 | $0.00 | $14.11 | Survey |
| LABORER GRADE CHECKER | $14.51 | $0.00 | $14.51 | Survey |
| HIGHWAY/PARKING LOT STRIPING: LABORER | $11.95 | $0.00 | $11.95 | Survey |
| Power equipment operators | ||||
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (DRILL) | $24.15 | $9.36 | $33.51 | Union |
| OPERATOR: AGGREGATE SPREADER | $15.81 | $0.00 | $15.81 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: TRACTOR | $12.50 | $0.00 | $12.50 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: SCRAPER | $13.30 | $0.00 | $13.30 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: ROLLER | $15.96 | $0.00 | $15.96 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: PAVER(ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE) | $18.42 | $0.00 | $18.42 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: OILER | $16.83 | $0.00 | $16.83 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINE | $16.64 | $0.00 | $16.64 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: MECHANIC | $22.46 | $0.00 | $22.46 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: MATERIAL TRANSFER VEHICLE | $16.89 | $0.00 | $16.89 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: LOADER | $16.97 | $0.00 | $16.97 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADE | $18.67 | $0.00 | $18.67 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: DRAGLINE | $25.86 | $0.00 | $25.86 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: DISTRIBUTOR | $18.42 | $0.00 | $18.42 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: CONCRETE SAW | $17.97 | $0.00 | $17.97 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZER | $19.41 | $0.00 | $19.41 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BROOM/SWEEPER | $13.07 | $0.00 | $13.07 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADER | $13.88 | $0.00 | $13.88 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.12 | $0.00 | $19.12 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: ASPHALT SPREADER | $16.91 | $0.00 | $16.91 | Survey |
| Ironworkers | ||||
| IRONWORKER, STRUCTURAL | $22.40 | $0.00 | $22.40 | Survey |
| Painters | ||||
| PAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER) | $15.97 | $1.27 | $17.24 | Survey |
| HIGHWAY/PARKING LOT STRIPING: TRUCK DRIVER (LINE STRIPING TRUCK) | $14.62 | $0.00 | $14.62 | Survey |
| HIGHWAY/PARKING LOT STRIPING: OPERATOR (STRIPING MACHINE) | $20.32 | $0.00 | $20.32 | Survey |
| Cement masons | ||||
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER | $17.12 | $0.00 | $17.12 | Survey |
| Truck drivers | ||||
| TRUCK DRIVER: WATER TRUCK | $13.47 | $0.00 | $13.47 | Survey |
| TRUCK DRIVER: SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK | $15.56 | $0.00 | $15.56 | Survey |
| TRUCK DRIVER: PICKUP TRUCK | $15.50 | $0.00 | $15.50 | Survey |
| TRUCK DRIVER: LOWBOY TRUCK | $17.73 | $0.00 | $17.73 | Survey |
| TRUCK DRIVER: FLATBED TRUCK | $15.00 | $0.00 | $15.00 | Survey |
| TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK | $15.60 | $0.00 | $15.60 | Survey |
Every other classification (6)
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRAFFIC CONTROL: LABORER-CONES/ BARRICADES/BARRELSSETTER/MOVER/SWEEPER | $12.01 | $0.00 | $12.01 | Survey |
| TRAFFIC CONTROL: FLAGGER | $11.12 | $0.00 | $11.12 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: CRANE | $23.94 | $0.00 | $23.94 | Survey |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETE | $14.31 | $0.00 | $14.31 | Survey |
| IRONWORKER, REINFORCING | $18.76 | $0.00 | $18.76 | Survey |
| INSTALLER - GUARDRAIL | $17.59 | $0.00 | $17.59 | Survey |
Rate and fringe are per hour unless a row says per day. Total is the rate plus the fringe. Union rows come from a collective bargaining agreement; survey rows from a Department of Labor wage survey, which can be years old.
Heavy construction (AL20260001)
Determination AL20260001, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 1 classification.
All classifications (1)
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SELF-PROPELLED HOPPER DREDGE DRAG TENDERSTHE FOLLOWING RATES WERE REVISED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 1.6(C)(1) ON 02/07/2025 | $20.36 | $7.24 | $27.60 | Survey |
Rate and fringe are per hour unless a row says per day. Total is the rate plus the fringe. Union rows come from a collective bargaining agreement; survey rows from a Department of Labor wage survey, which can be years old.
Heavy construction (AL20260002)
Determination AL20260002, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 22 classifications.
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power equipment operators | ||||
| OPERATOR (MARSH BUGGY DRAGLINE) | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DOZER OPERATOR | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
Every other classification (20)
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THIRD ASSISTANT ENGINEER DREDGE (16' AND OVER) | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| SECOND COOK (HYDRAULIC DREDGING) | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| SECOND ASSISTANT ENGINEER DREDGE (16' AND OVER) | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| OILER (MARSH BUGGY DRAGLINE) | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| JANITOR - CABIN PERSON (HYDRAULIC DREDGING) | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| HANDYMAN (HYDRAULIC DREDGING) | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| FIRST COOK (HYDRAULIC DREDGING) | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| FIRST ASSISTANT ENGINEER DREDGE (16' AND OVER) | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (UNDER 16'), TENDER OPERATOR | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (UNDER 16'), OILER | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (UNDER 16'), LEVERMAN | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (UNDER 16'), DECKHAND | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (16' AND OVER), TRUCK DRIVER | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (16' AND OVER), TENDER OPERATOR | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (16' AND OVER), SHOREMAN | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (16' AND OVER), OILER | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (16' AND OVER), LEVERMAN | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (16' AND OVER), FIREMAN | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DREDGE (16' AND OVER), DECKHAND | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
| DERRICK OPERATOR | $19.67 | $0.00 | $19.67 | Survey |
Rate and fringe are per hour unless a row says per day. Total is the rate plus the fringe. Union rows come from a collective bargaining agreement; survey rows from a Department of Labor wage survey, which can be years old.
Heavy construction (AL20260107)
Determination AL20260107, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 8 classifications.
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | ||||
| ELECTRICIAN | $20.86 | $4.04 | $24.90 | Survey |
| Carpenters | ||||
| CARPENTER, INCLUDES FORM WORK | $20.26 | $8.59 | $28.85 | Survey |
| Laborers | ||||
| LABORER: PIPELAYER, INCLUDES WATER SEWER LINES | $13.91 | $2.04 | $15.95 | Survey |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL, INCLUDES WATER SEWER LINES | $12.59 | $0.58 | $13.17 | Survey |
| Power equipment operators | ||||
| OPERATOR: LOADER, INCLUDES WATER SEWER LINES | $17.64 | $2.14 | $19.78 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE, INCLUDES WATER SEWER LINES | $18.64 | $3.53 | $22.17 | Survey |
| Cement masons | ||||
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER, INCLUDES WATER SEWER LINES | $13.71 | $0.00 | $13.71 | Survey |
| Truck drivers | ||||
| TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK, INCLUDES WATER SEWER LINES | $12.25 | $2.58 | $14.83 | Survey |
Rate and fringe are per hour unless a row says per day. Total is the rate plus the fringe. Union rows come from a collective bargaining agreement; survey rows from a Department of Labor wage survey, which can be years old.
Before you rely on a rate
These are federal Davis-Bacon rates for federal and federally assisted construction; state-funded work may follow Alabama's own law. The contracting agency chooses which determination applies, and the one attached to the contract governs, even after a newer modification. Apprentices in registered programs may be paid a percentage of these rates. Nothing here is legal advice.
Source
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, general wage determinations AL20260087, AL20260046, AL20260157, AL20260001, AL20260002, AL20260107, as published on SAM.gov and refreshed here weekly. Rates are shown exactly as published; the construction types are building, residential, highway, heavy. TradeSalary is not affiliated with the Department of Labor.