Prevailing wage rates in Nueces County, TX
Davis-Bacon rates as of May 18, 2026, in the Corpus Christi, TX BLS area
Electricians on federal building jobs in Nueces County must be paid at least $30.80 an hour plus $8.97 an hour in fringe benefits (TX20260288, modification 1, published May 18, 2026). Nueces County has 5 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 | $13.60 – $39.77 | $28.56 an hour |
| Plumbers and pipefitters | $7.25 – $34.35 | $28.56 an hour |
| Carpenters | $7.25 – $19.82 | $22.69 an hour |
| Power equipment operators | $7.25 – $45.45 | $23.23 an hour |
| Ironworkers | $27.42 – $36.39 | $27.61 an hour |
| Roofers | $7.25 – $13.75 | $18.08 an hour |
Building construction
Determination TX20260288, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 38 classifications.
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | ||||
| ELECTRICIAN | $30.80 | $8.97 | $39.77 | Union |
| Plumbers and pipefitters | ||||
| PLUMBER | $25.64 | $8.16 | $33.80 | Survey |
| PIPEFITTER | $25.80 | $8.55 | $34.35 | Survey |
| Carpenters | ||||
| CARPENTER | $15.21 | $0.00 | $15.21 | Survey |
| Laborers | ||||
| LABORER: ROOF TEAROFF | $11.28 | $0.00 | $11.28 | Survey |
| LABORER: PIPELAYER | $12.49 | $2.13 | $14.62 | Survey |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $9.68 | $0.00 | $9.68 | Survey |
| Power equipment operators | ||||
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ((3) HYDRAULIC CRANES 59 TONS AND… | $32.35 | $13.10 | $45.45 | Union |
| OPERATOR: ROLLER | $12.70 | $0.00 | $12.70 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: PAVER(ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE) | $16.03 | $0.00 | $16.03 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: MECHANIC | $17.52 | $3.33 | $20.85 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: LOADER | $13.55 | $0.94 | $14.49 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADE | $13.37 | $0.00 | $13.37 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: FORKLIFT | $14.83 | $0.00 | $14.83 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: DRILL | $16.22 | $0.34 | $16.56 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZER | $18.29 | $1.31 | $19.60 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADER | $13.93 | $0.00 | $13.93 | Survey |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.25 | $0.00 | $14.25 | Survey |
| Ironworkers | ||||
| IRONWORKER: ORNAMENTAL | $28.26 | $8.13 | $36.39 | Union |
| IRONWORKER, STRUCTURAL | $22.16 | $5.26 | $27.42 | Survey |
| Sheet metal workers | ||||
| SHEET METAL WORKER, EXCLUDES HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION | $21.13 | $6.53 | $27.66 | Survey |
| SHEET METAL WORKER (HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION ONLY) | $22.73 | $7.52 | $30.25 | Survey |
| Painters | ||||
| PAINTER: BRUSH, ROLLER, AND SPRAY | $14.45 | $0.00 | $14.45 | Survey |
| Roofers | ||||
| ROOFER | $13.75 | $0.00 | $13.75 | Survey |
| Cement masons | ||||
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER | $15.33 | $0.00 | $15.33 | Survey |
| Bricklayers | ||||
| BRICKLAYER | $20.04 | $0.00 | $20.04 | Survey |
| Truck drivers | ||||
| TRUCK DRIVER: WATER TRUCK | $12.00 | $4.11 | $16.11 | Survey |
| TRUCK DRIVER: SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK | $12.50 | $0.00 | $12.50 | Survey |
| TRUCK DRIVER: FLATBED TRUCK | $19.65 | $8.57 | $28.22 | Survey |
| TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK | $12.39 | $1.18 | $13.57 | Survey |
Every other classification (8)
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOILERMAKER | $33.17 | $24.92 | $58.09 | Union |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ((1) TOWER CRANE) | $32.85 | $13.10 | $45.95 | Union |
| TILE SETTER | $14.74 | $0.00 | $14.74 | Survey |
| TILE FINISHER | $11.22 | $0.00 | $11.22 | Survey |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETE | $10.58 | $0.00 | $10.58 | Survey |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - BRICK | $11.36 | $0.00 | $11.36 | Survey |
| IRONWORKER, REINFORCING | $12.27 | $0.00 | $12.27 | Survey |
| INSULATOR - MECHANICAL(DUCT, PIPE & MECHANICAL SYSTEM INSULATION) | $19.77 | $7.13 | $26.90 | 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 TX20260010, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 18 classifications.
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | ||||
| ELECTRICIAN | $12.53 | $1.07 | $13.60 | Survey |
| Plumbers and pipefitters | ||||
| PLUMBER | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| Carpenters | ||||
| CARPENTER | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| Laborers | ||||
| LABORERS: PIPELAYERS | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| LABORERS: (LABORERS) | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| Power equipment operators | ||||
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SCRAPERS | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADERS | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERS | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOES | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (LOADERS) | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| Sheet metal workers | ||||
| SHEET METAL WORKER | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| Painters | ||||
| PAINTER: BRUSH ONLY | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| Roofers | ||||
| ROOFER | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| Cement masons | ||||
| CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| Bricklayers | ||||
| BRICKLAYER | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| Truck drivers | ||||
| TRUCK DRIVER | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
Every other classification (2)
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLOOR LAYER: CARPET | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| AIR CONDITIONING MECHANIC | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | 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 TX20260296, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 35 classifications.
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters | ||||
| FORM SETTER, PAVING & CURB | $18.16 | $0.00 | $18.16 | Union |
| FORM BUILDER/SETTER, STRUCTURES | $19.82 | $0.00 | $19.82 | Union |
| Laborers | ||||
| LABORER, UTILITY | $18.42 | $0.00 | $18.42 | Union |
| LABORER, COMMON | $16.63 | $0.00 | $16.63 | Union |
| ASPHALT RAKER | $17.40 | $0.00 | $17.40 | Union |
| Power equipment operators | ||||
| MOTOR GRADER OPERATOR, ROUGH | $23.06 | $0.00 | $23.06 | Union |
| MOTOR GRADER OPERATOR, FINE GRADE | $26.88 | $0.00 | $26.88 | Union |
| LOADER/BACKHOE OPERATOR | $19.01 | $0.00 | $19.01 | Union |
| FRONT END LOADER OPERATOR, OVER 3 CY | $18.71 | $0.00 | $18.71 | Union |
| FRONT END LOADER OPERATOR, 3 CY OR LESS | $18.80 | $0.00 | $18.80 | Union |
| EXCAVATOR OPERATOR, OVER 50,000 POUNDS | $22.05 | $0.00 | $22.05 | Union |
| EXCAVATOR OPERATOR, 50,000 POUNDS OR LESS | $19.69 | $0.00 | $19.69 | Union |
| CRAWLER TRACTOR OPERATOR | $23.23 | $0.00 | $23.23 | Union |
| Painters | ||||
| PAINTER, STRUCTURES | $27.93 | $0.00 | $27.93 | Union |
| Cement masons | ||||
| CONCRETE FINISHER, PAVING AND STRUCTURES | $21.16 | $0.00 | $21.16 | Union |
| Truck drivers | ||||
| TRUCK DRIVER, TANDEM AXLE TRACTOR WITH SEMI TRAILER | $22.08 | $0.00 | $22.08 | Union |
| TRUCK DRIVER, SINGLE OR TANDEM AXLE DUMP TRUCK | $20.30 | $0.00 | $20.30 | Union |
| TRUCK DRIVER, SINGLE AXLE | $17.99 | $0.00 | $17.99 | Union |
| TRUCK DRIVER LOWBOY FLOAT | $22.90 | $0.00 | $22.90 | Union |
Every other classification (16)
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WORK ZONE BARRICADE | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | Union |
| SPREADER BOX OPERATOR | $20.63 | $0.00 | $20.63 | Union |
| ROLLER OPERATOR, OTHER | $16.90 | $0.00 | $16.90 | Union |
| ROLLER OPERATOR, ASPHALT | $17.27 | $0.00 | $17.27 | Union |
| REINFORCING STEEL WORKER | $22.76 | $0.00 | $22.76 | Union |
| RECLAIMER/PULVERIZER OPERATOR | $18.83 | $0.00 | $18.83 | Union |
| PIPELAYER | $19.40 | $0.00 | $19.40 | Union |
| MILLING MACHINE OPERATOR | $22.53 | $0.00 | $22.53 | Union |
| MECHANIC | $25.51 | $0.00 | $25.51 | Union |
| FLAGGER | $14.59 | $0.00 | $14.59 | Union |
| CRANE OPERATOR, LATTICE BOOM OVER 80 TONS | $34.20 | $0.00 | $34.20 | Union |
| CRANE OPERATOR, HYDRAULIC OVER 80 TONS | $30.25 | $0.00 | $30.25 | Union |
| CRANE OPERATOR, HYDRAULIC 80 TONS OR LESS | $27.88 | $0.00 | $27.88 | Union |
| BROOM OR SWEEPER OPERATOR | $16.63 | $0.00 | $16.63 | Union |
| ASPHALT PAVING MACHINE OPERATOR | $19.14 | $0.00 | $19.14 | Union |
| ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR OPERATOR | $23.20 | $0.00 | $23.20 | Union |
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 (TX20260021)
Determination TX20260021, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 7 classifications.
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | ||||
| ELECTRICIAN | $13.37 | $2.58 | $15.95 | Survey |
| Carpenters | ||||
| CARPENTER (EXCLUDING FORM SETTING) | $9.05 | $0.00 | $9.05 | Survey |
| Laborers | ||||
| LABORERS: (UTILITY) | $7.68 | $0.00 | $7.68 | Survey |
| LABORERS: (COMMON) | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | Survey |
| Power equipment operators | ||||
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADER | $8.72 | $0.00 | $8.72 | Survey |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE) | $9.21 | $0.00 | $9.21 | Survey |
| Cement masons | ||||
| CONCRETE FINISHER | $7.56 | $0.00 | $7.56 | 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 (TX20260033)
Determination TX20260033, modification 1, published May 18, 2026. 25 classifications.
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power equipment operators | ||||
| OPERATOR (MARSH BUGGY DRAGLINE) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| DOZER OPERATOR | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| Truck drivers | ||||
| TRUCK DRIVER (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
Every other classification (22)
| Classification | Rate | Fringe | Total | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WELDER (DREDGE UNDER 16"") | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| WELDER (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| THIRD ASSISTANT ENGINEER (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| SHOREMAN (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| SECOND COOK (HYDRAULIC DREDGING) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| SECOND ASSISTANT ENGINEER (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| OILER (MARSH BUGGY DRAGLINE) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| OILER (DREDGE UNDER 16"") | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| OILER (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| MESS PERSON (HYDRAULIC DREDGING) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| LEVERMAN (DREDGE UNDER 16"") | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| LEVERMAN (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| JANITOR - CABIN PERSON (HYDRAULIC DREDGING) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| HANDYMAN (HYDRAULIC DREDGING) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| FIRST COOK (HYDRAULIC DREDGING) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| FIRST ASSISTANT ENGINEER (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| FIREMAN (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| DREDGE TENDER OPERATOR (DREDGE UNDER 16"") | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| DREDGE TENDER OPERATOR (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| DERRICK OPERATOR | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| DECKHAND (DREDGE UNDER 16"") | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | Survey |
| DECKHAND (DREDGE 16"" AND OVER) | $16.85 | $0.00 | $16.85 | 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 Texas'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 TX20260288, TX20260010, TX20260296, TX20260021, TX20260033, 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.