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Prevailing wage rates in Merced County, California
DIR's 2026-2 determinations, issued August 22, 2026, set 274 prevailing wage rates for 45 trades on public works in Merced County. Each trade's main rate runs from $17.13 an hour (landscape maintenance laborer) to $133.615 (elevator constructor), base wage plus fringe benefits.
Merced County prevailing wage by trade, A to Z
| Trade | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Issued | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asbestos & Lead Abatement LaborerAsbestos and Lead Removal Worker (Area 2) | $39.65 | $32.31 | $71.96 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-102-67-1-2026-1 |
BoilermakerBoilermaker-Blacksmith (Area 3) · 2 rates | $59.24 | $41.44 | $100.68 | Feb 22, 2026 | C-14-X-2-2026-1 |
Brick TenderBrick Tender | $44.35 | $28.31 | $72.66 | Aug 22, 2026 | 102-X-9 |
BricklayerBricklayer, Blocklayer, Stonemason · 2 rates | $51.75 | $32.95 | $84.70 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-3-4 |
CarpenterCarpenter (Area 4) · 5 rates | $63.03 | $39.15 | $102.18 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-31-1-2026-1 |
Carpet & Soft Floor LayerTile Layer | $44.35 | $27.53 | $71.88 | Aug 22, 2026 | 200-294-2 |
Cement MasonCement Mason · 2 rates | $51.35 | $32.21 | $83.56 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-203-1-2026-1 |
Construction Inspector & Materials TesterGroup 1 · 4 rates | $65.89 | $36.10 | $101.99 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-63-3-9-2026-1 |
DredgerGroup 1 (Area 1) · 4 rates | $62.61 | $44.06 | $106.67 | Aug 22, 2025 | NC-63-3-12-2025-1 |
Drywall Installer / LatherDrywall Installer/Lather (Area 4) · 3 rates | $63.53 | $40.52 | $104.05 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-31-X-16-2026-1 |
Electrical Utility LinemanLineman, Cable Splicer · 19 rates | $74.43 | $26.76 | $101.19 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-61-X-3-2026-1 |
ElectricianInside Wireman · 6 rates | $53.00 | $34.38 | $87.38 | Aug 22, 2026 | 061-684-1 |
Elevator ConstructorMechanic · 4 rates | $87.48 | $46.135 | $133.615 | Feb 22, 2026 | NC-62-X-1-2026-1 |
Field SurveyorChief of Party · 2 rates | $64.75 | $35.83 | $100.58 | Feb 22, 2026 | 063-3-10 |
GlazierGlazier | $52.10 | $31.69 | $83.79 | Aug 22, 2026 | 200-169-2 |
Hauling Driver (On/Off Site)Driver: Dump Truck · 2 rates | $17.00 | $3.94 | $20.94 | Feb 22, 2021 | C-DT-830-261-5-2021-1 |
Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker)Mechanic (Zone 1) · 4 rates | $98.16 | $27.81 | $125.97 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-3-16-1-2026-2 |
IronworkerIron Worker (Ornamental, Reinforcing, Structural) (Area 5) · 2 rates | $51.85 | $39.12 | $90.97 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-20-X-1-2026-2 |
LaborerGroup 1; Group 1(B) (Area 2) · 16 rates | $39.65 | $32.31 | $71.96 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-102-1-2026-2 |
Landscape & Irrigation LaborerLandscape/Irrigation Technician I · 4 rates | $39.11 | $19.17 | $58.28 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-102-X-15-2026-1 |
Landscape Maintenance LaborerLandscape Maintenance Laborer | $16.90 | $0.23 | $17.13 | Feb 22, 2026 | NC-LML-2026-1 |
Line Clearance Tree TrimmerTree Trimmer · 6 rates | $45.37 | $21.76 | $67.13 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-TT-2026-1 |
Marble FinisherMarble Finisher | $44.16 | $22.78 | $66.94 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-3-5 |
Marble MasonMarble Mason | $65.37 | $33.24 | $98.61 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-3-5 |
Modular Furniture InstallerInstaller (Area 3) · 3 rates | $36.20 | $29.37 | $65.57 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-31-15-2026-1 |
Operating EngineerGroup 1 · 92 rates | $72.22 | $36.29 | $108.51 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-63-1-2026-2D |
PainterPainter · 4 rates | $45.85 | $23.83 | $69.68 | Feb 22, 2026 | 200-X-1(SacArea) |
Pile DriverPile Driver, Wharf, and Dock Builder · 35 rates | $69.51 | $42.36 | $111.87 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-31-11-2026-1 |
Plaster TenderPlaster Tender | $44.52 | $33.61 | $78.13 | Aug 22, 2026 | 102-X-12 |
PlastererPlasterer | $54.79 | $40.30 | $95.09 | Aug 22, 2026 | 203-X-3 |
Plumber / PipefitterPlumber, Steamfitter, Refrigeration Fitter (HVAC) · 6 rates | $59.25 | $41.86 | $101.11 | Aug 22, 2026 | 204-X-3 |
RooferRoofer | $49.65 | $22.19 | $71.84 | Feb 22, 2025 | 830-232-33 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSheet Metal Worker · 2 rates | $50.52 | $54.23 | $104.75 | Aug 22, 2026 | 166-162-4 |
Slurry Seal WorkerMixer Operator · 4 rates | $46.87 | $29.55 | $76.42 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-102-1B-2026-2 |
Stator RewinderStator Rewinder · 2 rates | $16.90 | $5.245 | $22.145 | Feb 22, 2026 | C-738-1412-7-2026-1 |
Striping & Traffic Control WorkerGroup 1 · 7 rates | $44.60 | $31.67 | $76.27 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-102-13-2026-2A |
Teamster (Truck Driver)Group 1 · 5 rates | $46.26 | $36.34 | $82.60 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-261-1-2026-1 |
Telecommunications TechnicianTelecommunications Technician | $51.97 | $15.74 | $67.71 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-422-X-1-2026-2B |
Terrazzo FinisherTerrazzo Finisher | $47.63 | $23.71 | $71.34 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-3-3 |
Terrazzo WorkerTerrazzo Worker | $64.33 | $32.47 | $96.80 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-3-3 |
Tile FinisherTile Finisher | $33.70 | $22.54 | $56.24 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-3-7 |
Tile SetterTile Setter | $51.09 | $28.29 | $79.38 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-3-7 |
Tree Maintenance LaborerSenior Tree Trimmer (Area 2) · 3 rates | $27.90 | $12.17 | $40.07 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-102-X-21-2026-1 |
Tunnel WorkerBit grinder, blaster, driller, powderman-heading, cherry pickerman- where car is lifted, concrete finisher in tunnel, concrete/screed man, grout pumpman and potman, gunite and shotcrete gunman and potman, headerman, high pressure nozzleman, miner-tunnel, including top and bottom man on shaft and raise work, nipper, nozzleman on slick line, sandblaster-potman (work assignment interchangeable) · 6 rates | $53.39 | $32.77 | $86.16 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-102-11-2026-1 |
Water Well DrillerWater Well Driller · 3 rates | $34.33 | $16.81 | $51.14 | Aug 22, 2026 | 063-3-56 |
One main rate per trade; open a trade for its other classifications, overtime, footnotes and scheduled increases. Totals are DIR's: the base wage plus the employer payments (fringe benefits) DIR itemizes. A project pays the rates in effect on its bid advertisement date; new determinations take effect 10 days after DIR issues them (DIR FAQ). Checked against dir.ca.gov on October 24, 2026.
Which trades pay the most in Merced County?
Elevator constructor, at $133.615 an hour. Each trade's main rate, highest first, split into the base wage and the employer payments DIR itemizes, on one scale.
- Elevator Constructor$133.615
- Heat & Frost Insulator$125.97
- Pile Driver$111.87
- Operating Engineer$108.51
- Dredger$106.67
- Sheet Metal Worker$104.75
- Drywall Installer / Lather$104.05
- Carpenter$102.18
- Inspector & Tester$101.99
- Utility Lineman$101.19
- Plumber / Pipefitter$101.11
- Boilermaker$100.68
- Field Surveyor$100.58
- Marble Mason$98.61
- Terrazzo Worker$96.80
- Plasterer$95.09
- Ironworker$90.97
- Electrician$87.38
- Tunnel Worker$86.16
- Bricklayer$84.70
- Glazier$83.79
- Cement Mason$83.56
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$82.60
- Tile Setter$79.38
- Plaster Tender$78.13
- Slurry Seal Worker$76.42
- Striping & Traffic Control$76.27
- Brick Tender$72.66
- Abatement Laborer$71.96
- Laborer$71.96
- Soft Floor Layer$71.88
- Roofer$71.84
- Terrazzo Finisher$71.34
- Painter$69.68
- Telecom Technician$67.71
- Line Clearance Trimmer$67.13
- Marble Finisher$66.94
- Furniture Installer$65.57
- Landscape Laborer$58.28
- Tile Finisher$56.24
- Water Well Driller$51.14
- Tree Maintenance$40.07
- Stator Rewinder$22.145
- Hauling Driver$20.94
- Landscape Maintenance$17.13
Which Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Merced County?
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's rates. When a California awarding body runs a federally funded or assisted project, DIR's rates must be paid where they are higher than the Davis-Bacon rates (DIR public works FAQ). Each trade's page shows its federal rate next to DIR's.
| Construction | Wage determination | Modification | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | CA20260018 | 8 | September 17, 2026 |
| Residential | CA20260009 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | CA20260018 | 8 | September 17, 2026 |
| Heavy | CA20260018 | 8 | September 17, 2026 |
Questions about Merced County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Merced County?
$87.38 an hour: a $53.00 base wage plus $34.38 in employer payments (fringe benefits), for the main classification (Inside Wireman), under DIR determination 061-684-1. Overtime and every electrician rate in Merced County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Merced County?
$71.96 an hour: a $39.65 base wage plus $32.31 in employer payments (fringe benefits), for the main classification, under DIR determination NC-23-102-1-2026-2. Overtime and every laborer rate in Merced County.
Does the prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. The rate is a base wage plus employer payments (fringe benefits), and the employer owes both for every hour. For elevator constructor, the highest-paid trade in Merced County, the $133.615 total is a $87.48 base wage plus $46.135 in employer payments (fringe benefits).
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in Merced County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: CA20260018 (modification 8, September 17, 2026) for building, highway and heavy construction and CA20260009 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction. When a California awarding body runs a federally funded or assisted project, DIR's rates must be paid where they are higher than the Davis-Bacon rates (DIR public works FAQ).
Does Merced County share its rates with other counties?
For 45 of its 45 trades, yes: DIR sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Electrician rates, for example, are the same in 4 counties (the Stanislaus County group).