TradeSalary

Prevailing wage rates in Jefferson County, KY

Davis-Bacon rates as of May 18, 2026, in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN BLS area

Electricians on federal building jobs in Jefferson County must be paid at least $40.96 an hour plus $22.44 an hour in fringe benefits (KY20260093, modification 1, published May 18, 2026). Jefferson County has 4 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).

TradeDavis-Bacon packageBLS median
Electricians$15.95 – $70.50$30.02 an hour
Plumbers and pipefitters$66.79 – $70.70$35.91 an hour
Carpenters$13.25 – $57.95$27.17 an hour
Power equipment operators$23.29 – $60.25$29.76 an hour
Ironworkers$42.95 – $71.29$33.31 an hour
Roofers$14.28 – $44.88$23.64 an hour

Building construction

Determination KY20260093, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 34 classifications.

ClassificationRateFringeTotalBasis
Electricians
ELECTRICIAN (INCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING)$40.96$22.44$63.40Union
Plumbers and pipefitters
PLUMBER$41.90$24.89$66.79Union
PIPEFITTER (INCLUDES HVAC PIPE AND UNIT INSTALLATION)$41.90$24.89$66.79Union
SPRINKLER FITTER (FIRE SPRINKLERS)$44.15$26.08$70.23Union
Carpenters
CARPENTER (INCLUDES ACOUSTICAL CEILING INSTALLATION, DRYWALL…$30.80$22.34$53.14Union
Laborers
LABORER: BACKFILLER, CARPENTER TENDER, DEMOLITION, COMMON OR…$26.69$13.32$40.01Union
LABORER: PIPELAYER$20.36$9.90$30.26Survey
LABORER: CONCRETE SAW (HAND HELD/WALK BEHIND)$19.93$5.97$25.90Survey
Power equipment operators
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (DRILL)$40.65$19.60$60.25Union
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADER$40.65$19.60$60.25Union
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFT$40.65$19.60$60.25Union
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$34.99$19.60$54.59Union
OPERATOR: ROLLER$23.60$12.65$36.25Survey
OPERATOR: PAVER(ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE)$22.52$4.00$26.52Survey
OPERATOR: BULLDOZER$21.49$3.84$25.33Survey
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE$22.27$3.72$25.99Survey
Ironworkers
IRONWORKER: ORNAMENTAL$37.77$23.90$61.67Union
Sheet metal workers
SHEET METAL WORKER (INCLUDES HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION)$40.32$25.66$65.98Union
Painters
PAINTER: SPRAY$22.81$11.87$34.68Survey
PAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER)$21.28$11.94$33.22Survey
Roofers
ROOFER$30.97$13.91$44.88Union
Cement masons
CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER$20.21$9.70$29.91Survey
Bricklayers
BRICKLAYER$24.03$8.03$32.06Survey
Truck drivers
TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK$23.60$8.03$31.63Survey
Every other classification (10)
ClassificationRateFringeTotalBasis
BOILERMAKER$43.85$28.44$72.29Union
MILLWRIGHT$35.54$29.13$64.67Union
ELEVATOR MECHANICPAID HOLIDAYS: A. NEW YEAR'S DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, LABOR DAY, VETERAN'S DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY, THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING, AND CHRISTMAS DAY. B. EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTES 8% OF REGULAR HOURLY RATE TO VACATIO…$56.57$38.44$95.01Union
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANECRANES WITH BOOM 150 FEET & OVER, INCLUDING JIB, SHALL RECEIVE $.75 ABOVE THE WAGE RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER, INCLUDING JIB, SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE THE WAGE RATE. ALL CRANES WITH PILING LEADS WILL RECEIVE $.50 ABOVE THE…$40.65$19.60$60.25Union
IRONWORKER (STRUCTURAL AND REINFORCING)$36.17$25.80$61.97Union
LABORER: GROUTING, MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETE, POWER TOOL…$25.22$12.74$37.96Union
TILE SETTER$22.64$6.10$28.74Survey
TILE FINISHER$15.42$5.63$21.05Survey
LABORER: MASON TENDER - BRICK$14.30$1.13$15.43Survey
ASBESTOS WORKER/HEAT & FROST INSULATOR$26.83$12.67$39.50Survey

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 KY20260012, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 17 classifications.

ClassificationRateFringeTotalBasis
Electricians
ELECTRICIAN$14.25$1.70$15.95Survey
Plumbers and pipefitters
PLUMBER$41.90$24.89$66.79Union
Carpenters
CARPENTER (FORM WORK ONLY)$28.23$20.89$49.12Union
CARPENTER$13.00$0.25$13.25Survey
Laborers
LABORER: GRADE CHECKER$14.00$1.57$15.57Survey
LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL$11.10$1.08$12.18Survey
Power equipment operators
OPERATOR: ROLLER$20.41$5.72$26.13Survey
OPERATOR: BULLDOZER$21.50$1.79$23.29Survey
OPERATOR: BACKHOE$21.50$1.79$23.29Survey
Sheet metal workers
SHEET METAL WORKER (INCLUDING GUTTER INSTALLER)$40.32$25.66$65.98Union
Painters
PAINTER: BRUSH AND ROLLER$10.00$0.00$10.00Survey
Roofers
ROOFER: SHAKE & SHINGLE ROOF$14.28$0.00$14.28Survey
Cement masons
CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER$27.80$18.71$46.51Union
Bricklayers
BRICKLAYER$16.00$0.00$16.00Survey
Truck drivers
TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK$14.00$1.63$15.63Survey
Every other classification (2)
ClassificationRateFringeTotalBasis
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (ALL OTHER TYPES), TRUCK CRANE…CRANE WITH BOOM 150 FEET & OVER, INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $.75 ABOVE RATE ALL CRANES WITH PILING LEADS WILL RECEIVE $.50 ABOVE RATE REGARDLESS OF BOOM LENGTH$33.90$17.85$51.75Union
LABORER: MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETE$12.10$0.00$12.10Survey

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 KY20260038, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 56 classifications.

ClassificationRateFringeTotalBasis
Electricians
ELECTRICIAN (BRACKEN, GALLATIN AND GRANT COUNTIES)$38.05$22.97$61.02Union
ELECTRICIAN: WIREMEN (BOYD, CARTER, ELLIOT & ROWAN COUNTIES)$41.15$29.35$70.50Union
ELECTRICIAN (ANDERSON, BATH, BOURBON, BOYLE, BRECKINRIDGE…$40.96$22.44$63.40Union
ELECTRICIAN (FLEMING, GREENUP, LEWIS & MASON COUNTIES)$37.00$22.26$59.26Union
Plumbers and pipefitters
PLUMBER AND STEAMFITTER (BOYD, CARTER, ELLIOTT, GREENUP, LEWIS…$42.75$25.76$68.51Union
PLUMBERS AND PIPEFITTERS (BRACKEN, CARROLL (EASTERN HALF)…$43.30$27.40$70.70Union
PLUMBER (BRECKINRIDGE, BULLITT, CARROLL (WESTERN HALF)…$41.90$24.89$66.79Union
Carpenters
CARPENTER$33.89$24.06$57.95Union
Laborers
LABORERS: GROUP 4$27.77$19.66$47.43Union
LABORERS: GROUP 3$27.17$19.66$46.83Union
LABORERS: GROUP 2$27.12$19.66$46.78Union
LABORERS: GROUP 4$27.77$19.66$47.43Union
LABORERS: GROUP 3$27.17$19.66$46.83Union
LABORERS: GROUP 2$27.12$19.66$46.78Union
LABORERS: GROUP 4$27.77$19.66$47.43Union
LABORERS: GROUP 3$27.17$19.66$46.83Union
LABORERS: GROUP 2$27.12$19.66$46.78Union
Power equipment operators
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 4CRANES - WITH BOOMS 150 FT. & OVER (INCLUDING JIB), AND WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUALS OR EXCEEDS 150 FT. - $1.00 OVER GROUP 1 RATE EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW…$38.37$19.60$57.97Union
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 3CRANES - WITH BOOMS 150 FT. & OVER (INCLUDING JIB), AND WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUALS OR EXCEEDS 150 FT. - $1.00 OVER GROUP 1 RATE EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW…$39.14$19.60$58.74Union
Ironworkers
IRONWORKER: STRUCTURAL (BRACKEN, GALLATIN, GRANT, HARRISON…$37.77$23.90$61.67Union
IRONWORKER: FENCE ERECTOR (BRACKEN, GALLATIN, GRANT, HARRISON…$35.88$23.90$59.78Union
IRONWORKER (ANDERSON, BOYLE, BRECKINRIDGE, BULLITT, FAYETTE…$36.17$25.80$61.97Union
IRONWORKER ZONE 3$41.70$29.59$71.29Union
IRONWORKER ZONE 2$40.10$29.59$69.69Union
IRONWORKER ZONE 1$39.70$29.59$69.29Union
Painters
PAINTER: SPRAY (BATH, BOURBON, BOYLE, CLARK, FAYETTE, FLEMING…$21.80$5.90$27.70Union
PAINTER: SANDBLASTING & WATERBLASTING (BATH, BOURBON, BOYLE…$22.05$5.90$27.95Union
PAINTER: ELEVATED TANKS; STEEPLEJACK WORK; BRIDGE & LEAD…$22.30$5.90$28.20Union
PAINTER: BRUSH & ROLLER (BATH, BOURBON, BOYLE, CLARK, FAYETTE…$21.30$5.90$27.20Union
PAINTER: BRIDGE/EQUIPMENT TENDER AND/OR CONTAINMENT BUILDER…$18.90$5.90$24.80Union
PAINTER, HEAVY & HIGHWAY BRIDGES - GUARDRAILS - LIGHTPOLES…$23.89$9.06$32.95Union
PAINTER, HEAVY & HIGHWAY BRIDGES - GUARDRAILS - LIGHTPOLES…$24.14$9.06$33.20Union
PAINTER, HEAVY & HIGHWAY BRIDGES - GUARDRAILS - LIGHTPOLES…$24.39$9.06$33.45Union
PAINTER, HEAVY & HIGHWAY BRIDGES - GUARDRAILS - LIGHTPOLES…$23.39$9.06$32.45Union
PAINTER, HEAVY & HIGHWAY BRIDGES - GUARDRAILS - LIGHTPOLES…$20.73$9.06$29.79Union
PAINTER: SPRAY, SANDBLAST, POWER TOOLS, WATERBLAST & STEAM…$23.00$12.52$35.52Union
PAINTER: BRUSH & ROLLER (ANDERSON, BRECKINRIDGE, BULLITT…$22.00$12.52$34.52Union
PAINTERS: POWER GENERATING FACILITIES (BOYD, CARTER, ELLIOTT…$34.29$23.95$58.24Union
PAINTERS: BRIDGES; LOCKS; DAMS; TENSION TOWERS & ENERGIZED…$37.53$23.95$61.48Union
Bricklayers
BRICKLAYER (BRECKENRIDGE COUNTY)$33.70$16.57$50.27Union
BRICKLAYER (BULLITT, CARROLL, GRAYSON, HARDIN, HENRY, JEFFERSON…$35.00$17.13$52.13Union
BRICKLAYER (BRACKEN, GALLATIN, GRANT, MASON & ROBERTSON…$35.00$17.13$52.13Union
BRICKLAYER (BOYD, CARTER, ELLIOT, FLEMING, GREENUP, LEWIS &…$41.05$21.79$62.84Union
BRICKLAYER (ANDERSON, BATH, BOURBON, BOYLE, CLARK, FAYETTE…$35.00$17.13$52.13Union
Truck drivers
TRUCK DRIVERS: GROUP 4Euclid & Other Heavy Earthmoving Equipment & Lowboy; Articulator Cat; 5-Axle Vehicle; Winch & A-Frame when used in transporting materials; Ross Carrier; Forklift when used to transport building materials; & Pavement Brea…$16.96$7.34$24.30Survey
TRUCK DRIVERS: GROUP 3Single Axle Dump; Flatbed; Semi-trailer or Pole Trailer when used to pull building materials and equipment; Tandem Axle Dump; Distributor; Mixer; & Truck Mechanic$16.86$7.34$24.20Survey
TRUCK DRIVERS: GROUP 2Greaser; Tire Changer; & Mechanic Tender$16.68$7.34$24.02Survey
TRUCK DRIVERS: GROUP 1Mobile Batch Truck Tender$16.57$7.34$23.91Survey
Every other classification (8)
ClassificationRateFringeTotalBasis
PILEDRIVERMAN$34.39$24.06$58.45Union
DIVER$51.21$24.06$75.27Union
SOUND & COMMUNICATION TECHNICIAN (BRACKEN, GALLATIN & GRANT…$27.20$14.54$41.74Union
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 2CRANES - WITH BOOMS 150 FT. & OVER (INCLUDING JIB), AND WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUALS OR EXCEEDS 150 FT. - $1.00 OVER GROUP 1 RATE EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW…$38.69$19.60$58.29Union
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 1CRANES - WITH BOOMS 150 FT. & OVER (INCLUDING JIB), AND WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUALS OR EXCEEDS 150 FT. - $1.00 OVER GROUP 1 RATE EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW…$41.55$19.60$61.15Union
LABORERS: GROUP 1$26.87$19.66$46.53Union
LABORERS: GROUP 1$26.87$19.66$46.53Union
LABORERS: GROUP 1$26.87$19.66$46.53Union

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

Determination KY20260072, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 27 classifications.

ClassificationRateFringeTotalBasis
Electricians
ELECTRICIAN$40.96$22.44$63.40Union
Carpenters
CARPENTER (FORM WORK ONLY)$33.89$24.06$57.95Union
Laborers
LABORER: FORM-STRIPPING, GRADE CHECKER$26.87$19.66$46.53Union
LABORER: CHIPPING GUNS & VIBRATING PLATE$27.12$19.66$46.78Union
LABORER: FLAGGER$35.52$14.45$49.97Union
LABORER: CONCRETE SAW (HAND HELD/WALK BEHIND)$35.69$14.45$50.14Union
LABORER: CARPENTER TENDER &CONCRETE WORKER & SIGNAL MAN$28.94$17.59$46.53Union
LABORER: BLASTER, TUNNEL; CONCRETE FINISHING & POWDERMAN$29.84$17.59$47.43Union
LABORER: PIPELAYER$27.87$0.00$27.87Survey
LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL$19.30$10.40$29.70Survey
LABORER: BACKFILLER$19.64$10.08$29.72Survey
Power equipment operators
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 4PUMP OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS …$38.37$19.60$57.97Union
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 2OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS OPERA…$38.69$19.60$58.29Union
OPERATOR: TRENCHER$26.34$12.58$38.92Survey
OPERATOR: ROLLER$23.39$13.00$36.39Survey
OPERATOR: MECHANIC$25.81$13.00$38.81Survey
OPERATOR: LOADER$26.50$13.00$39.50Survey
OPERATOR: BULLDOZER$24.60$15.64$40.24Survey
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE$26.76$13.00$39.76Survey
Ironworkers
IRONWORKER, STRUCTURAL$25.46$17.49$42.95Survey
Truck drivers
TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK$16.80$4.06$20.86Survey
Every other classification (6)
ClassificationRateFringeTotalBasis
LINE CONSTRUCTION: TRUCK DRIVERFOOTNOTE: A. 6 OBSERVED HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY; MEMORIAL DAY; INDEPENDENCE DAY; LABOR DAY; THANKSGIVING DAY; & CHRISTMAS DAY. EMPLOYEES WHO WORK ON A HOLIDAY SHALL BE PAID AT A RATE OF DOUBLE THEIR APPLICABLE CLASSIFIE…$16.93$9.77$26.70Union
LINE CONSTRUCTION: LINEMANFOOTNOTE: A. 6 OBSERVED HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY; MEMORIAL DAY; INDEPENDENCE DAY; LABOR DAY; THANKSGIVING DAY; & CHRISTMAS DAY. EMPLOYEES WHO WORK ON A HOLIDAY SHALL BE PAID AT A RATE OF DOUBLE THEIR APPLICABLE CLASSIFIE…$38.69$15.25$53.94Union
LINE CONSTRUCTION: GROUNDMAN$29.70$18.66$48.36Union
LINE CONSTRUCTION: EQUIPMENT OPERATOR$35.64$20.39$56.03Union
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 1OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS OPERA…$41.55$19.60$61.15Union
IRONWORKER: ORNAMENTAL AND REINFORCING$36.17$25.80$61.97Union

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 Kentucky'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 KY20260093, KY20260012, KY20260038, KY20260072, 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.