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Prevailing wage rates in Orange County, California
DIR's 2026-2 determinations, issued August 22, 2026, set 233 prevailing wage rates for 49 trades on public works in Orange County. Each trade's main rate runs from $17.12 an hour (landscape maintenance laborer) to $119.815 (elevator constructor), base wage plus fringe benefits.
Orange County prevailing wage by trade, A to Z
| Trade | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Issued | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asbestos & Lead Abatement LaborerAsbestos and Lead Abatement Worker | $49.20 | $29.34 | $78.54 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-102-882-1-2026-1 |
BoilermakerBoilermaker-Blacksmith (Area 1) · 4 rates | $57.98 | $43.45 | $101.43 | Feb 22, 2026 | C-14-X-2-2026-1 |
Brick TenderBrick Tender · 2 rates | $46.23 | $25.72 | $71.95 | Aug 22, 2026 | 102-X-6 |
BricklayerBricklayer, Cement Blocklayer, Pointer, Caulker, Cleaner · 3 rates | $55.10 | $23.26 | $78.36 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-4-1 |
CarpenterCarpenter , Cabinet Installer, Insulation Installer, Hardwood Floor Worker, Acoustical Installer · 17 rates | $54.41 | $29.91 | $84.32 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-23-31-2-2026-2 |
Carpet & Soft Floor LayerResilient Tile Layer · 2 rates | $46.85 | $20.66 | $67.51 | Aug 22, 2026 | 200-1247-1 |
Cement MasonCement Mason, Curb and Gutter Machine Operator; Clary and Similar Type of Screed Operator (Cement only); Grinding Machine Operator (all types); Jackson Vibratory, Texas Screed and Similar Type Screed Operator; Scoring Machine Operator · 3 rates | $50.00 | $30.69 | $80.69 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-23-203-2-2026-1 |
Construction Inspector & Materials TesterGroup 1 · 3 rates | $65.18 | $39.35 | $104.53 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-23-63-2-2026-2D |
Directional Drilling LaborerGroup 1 (Drilling Crew Laborer) · 4 rates | $50.66 | $24.40 | $75.06 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-102-1184-1-2026-1 |
DredgerLeverman · 9 rates | $68.90 | $46.80 | $115.70 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-63-12-23-2026-2 |
Drywall FinisherDrywall Finisher | $52.33 | $31.49 | $83.82 | Aug 22, 2026 | 200-X-18 |
Drywall Installer / LatherDrywall Installer/Lather · 2 rates | $54.41 | $30.24 | $84.65 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-31-X-41-2026-2 |
Electrical Utility LinemanLineman, Cable Splicer · 23 rates | $74.43 | $26.76 | $101.19 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-61-X-3-2026-1 |
ElectricianInside Wireman, Technician · 7 rates | $62.76 | $27.50 | $90.26 | Aug 22, 2026 | 061-441-1 |
Elevator ConstructorMechanic · 4 rates | $72.36 | $47.455 | $119.815 | Feb 22, 2026 | SC-62-X-999-2026-1 |
Fence BuilderFence Builder | $48.25 | $27.94 | $76.19 | Feb 22, 2026 | SC-23-31-20-2026-1 |
Field SurveyorChief of Party (018.167-010) · 3 rates | $68.91 | $41.47 | $110.38 | Aug 22, 2026 | 063-12-3 |
Fire Safety SealerAsbestos Worker, Fire Safety Technician - Class IV (6001 or more hrs) · 8 rates | $46.60 | $20.91 | $67.51 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-3-5-4-2026-1 |
GlazierGlazier | $63.08 | $28.40 | $91.48 | Aug 22, 2026 | 200-636-1 |
Gunite WorkerGround Wire Man, Nozzleman, Rodman · 5 rates | $55.88 | $26.11 | $81.99 | Aug 22, 2025 | SC-102-345-1-2025-1 |
Hauling Driver (On/Off Site)Driver: Dump Truck · 6 rates | $17.00 | $2.465 | $19.465 | Feb 22, 2021 | C-DT-830-261-10-2021-1 |
HousemoverHousemover | $49.25 | $29.35 | $78.60 | Sep 29, 2026 | SC-102-507-1-2026-2 |
Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker)Mechanic · 2 rates | $63.76 | $27.54 | $91.30 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-3-5-1-2026-1 |
IronworkerIron Worker (Ornamental, Reinforcing, Structural) (Area 4) · 2 rates | $53.35 | $39.12 | $92.47 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-20-X-1-2026-2 |
LaborerGroup 1 · 5 rates | $49.20 | $29.45 | $78.65 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-23-102-2-2026-1 |
Landscape & Irrigation LaborerLandscape/Irrigation Laborer · 3 rates | $47.57 | $29.10 | $76.67 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-102-X-14-2026-1 |
Landscape Maintenance LaborerLandscape Maintenance Laborer | $16.90 | $0.22 | $17.12 | Feb 22, 2026 | SC-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 | $46.97 | $18.58 | $65.55 | Aug 22, 2026 | 162-18-1 |
Metal Roofing InstallerMetal Roofing Systems Installer | $65.31 | $31.67 | $96.98 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-MR-2026-1F |
Modular Furniture InstallerModular Installer: Installer · 2 rates | $27.00 | $14.78 | $41.78 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-23-31-16-2026-2 |
Operating EngineerGroup 1 · 36 rates | $64.40 | $39.35 | $103.75 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-23-63-2-2026-2 |
PainterIndustrial Painter · 5 rates | $50.07 | $21.40 | $71.47 | Aug 22, 2026 | 200-X-2 |
Pile DriverGroup 1 · 13 rates | $65.75 | $39.35 | $105.10 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-23-63-2-2026-2B |
Plaster TenderPlaster Tender · 2 rates | $51.32 | $29.63 | $80.95 | Aug 22, 2026 | 102-X-16 |
PlastererPlasterer | $47.77 | $33.43 | $81.20 | Aug 22, 2026 | 203-X-2 |
Plumber / PipefitterPlumber, Industrial and General Pipefitter · 9 rates | $64.83 | $29.39 | $94.22 | Aug 22, 2026 | 204-X-6(1) |
RooferRoofer · 3 rates | $52.63 | $21.36 | $73.99 | Aug 22, 2025 | 232-36-1 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSheet Metal Worker | $65.31 | $31.67 | $96.98 | Aug 22, 2026 | 166-102-1 |
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 · 4 rates | $52.20 | $27.32 | $79.52 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-23-102-6-2026-1 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)Group I · 11 rates | $44.59 | $37.18 | $81.77 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-23-261-2-2026-1 |
Telecommunications TechnicianTelecommunications Technician | $53.42 | $15.94 | $69.36 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-422-X-1-2026-2A |
Terrazzo FinisherTerrazzo Finisher | $45.13 | $15.40 | $60.53 | Aug 22, 2025 | 018-18-2 |
Terrazzo WorkerTerrazzo Worker | $52.67 | $15.84 | $68.51 | Aug 22, 2025 | 018-18-2 |
Tile FinisherTile Finisher | $41.55 | $16.94 | $58.49 | Aug 22, 2026 | 162-18-1 |
Tile SetterTile Layer | $56.52 | $22.61 | $79.13 | Aug 22, 2026 | 162-18-1 |
Tree Maintenance LaborerSenior Tree Trimmer · 3 rates | $28.79 | $9.78 | $38.57 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-102-X-20-2026-1 |
Tunnel WorkerGroup I · 5 rates | $56.45 | $29.71 | $86.16 | Aug 22, 2026 | SC-23-102-12-2026-1 |
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 Orange County?
Elevator constructor, at $119.815 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$119.815
- Dredger$115.70
- Field Surveyor$110.38
- Pile Driver$105.10
- Inspector & Tester$104.53
- Operating Engineer$103.75
- Boilermaker$101.43
- Utility Lineman$101.19
- Metal Roofer$96.98
- Sheet Metal Worker$96.98
- Plumber / Pipefitter$94.22
- Ironworker$92.47
- Glazier$91.48
- Heat & Frost Insulator$91.30
- Electrician$90.26
- Tunnel Worker$86.16
- Drywall Installer / Lather$84.65
- Carpenter$84.32
- Drywall Finisher$83.82
- Gunite Worker$81.99
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$81.77
- Plasterer$81.20
- Plaster Tender$80.95
- Cement Mason$80.69
- Striping & Traffic Control$79.52
- Tile Setter$79.13
- Laborer$78.65
- Housemover$78.60
- Abatement Laborer$78.54
- Bricklayer$78.36
- Landscape Laborer$76.67
- Fence Builder$76.19
- Directional Drilling$75.06
- Roofer$73.99
- Brick Tender$71.95
- Painter$71.47
- Telecom Technician$69.36
- Terrazzo Worker$68.51
- Soft Floor Layer$67.51
- Fire Safety Sealer$67.51
- Line Clearance Trimmer$67.13
- Marble Finisher$65.55
- Terrazzo Finisher$60.53
- Tile Finisher$58.49
- Furniture Installer$41.78
- Tree Maintenance$38.57
- Stator Rewinder$22.145
- Hauling Driver$19.465
- Landscape Maintenance$17.12
Which Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Orange 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 | CA20260024 | 4 | July 14, 2026 |
| Residential | CA20260017 | 5 | October 15, 2026 |
| Highway | CA20260024 | 4 | July 14, 2026 |
| Heavy | CA20260024 | 4 | July 14, 2026 |
Questions about Orange County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Orange County?
$90.26 an hour: a $62.76 base wage plus $27.50 in employer payments (fringe benefits), for the main classification (Inside Wireman, Technician), under DIR determination 061-441-1. Overtime and every electrician rate in Orange County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Orange County?
$78.65 an hour: a $49.20 base wage plus $29.45 in employer payments (fringe benefits), for the main classification (Group 1), under DIR determination SC-23-102-2-2026-1. Overtime and every laborer rate in Orange 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 Orange County, the $119.815 total is a $72.36 base wage plus $47.455 in employer payments (fringe benefits).
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in Orange County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: CA20260024 (modification 4, July 14, 2026) for building, highway and heavy construction and CA20260017 (modification 5, October 15, 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 Orange County share its rates with other counties?
For 45 of its 49 trades, yes: DIR sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Carpenter rates, for example, are the same in 11 counties (Southern California). The other 4 are Orange County's own.