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Prevailing wage rates in San Mateo County, California
DIR's 2026-2 determinations, issued August 22, 2026, set 231 prevailing wage rates for 46 trades on public works in San Mateo County. Each trade's main rate runs from $17.20 an hour (landscape maintenance laborer) to $143.33 (electrician), base wage plus fringe benefits.
San Mateo 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 1) | $40.65 | $32.31 | $72.96 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-102-67-1-2026-1 |
BoilermakerBoilermaker-Blacksmith (Area 2) · 3 rates | $64.18 | $43.80 | $107.98 | Feb 22, 2026 | C-14-X-2-2026-1 |
Brick TenderBrick Tender | $45.20 | $28.46 | $73.66 | Aug 22, 2026 | 102-X-9 |
BricklayerBricklayer, Blocklayer, Stonemason · 2 rates | $57.37 | $35.88 | $93.25 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-3-4 |
CarpenterCarpenter (Area 1) · 5 rates | $70.26 | $39.15 | $109.41 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-31-1-2026-1 |
Carpet & Soft Floor LayerSoft Floor Layer | $63.06 | $36.28 | $99.34 | Aug 22, 2026 | 200-12-1 |
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 1) · 3 rates | $70.26 | $40.52 | $110.78 | 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, Technician · 4 rates | $88.00 | $55.33 | $143.33 | Aug 22, 2026 | 061-617-1 |
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 | $61.74 | $36.86 | $98.60 | Aug 22, 2026 | 200-169-1 |
Hauling Driver (On/Off Site)Driver: Dump Truck · 2 rates | $22.50 | $0.43 | $22.93 | Feb 22, 2021 | C-DT-830-261-7-2021-1 |
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 1) · 2 rates | $58.44 | $39.12 | $97.56 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-20-X-1-2026-2 |
LaborerGroup 1; Group 1(B) (Area 1) · 17 rates | $40.65 | $32.31 | $72.96 | 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 (complex work) · 2 rates | $16.90 | $0.30 | $17.20 | 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 |
Metal Roofing InstallerMetal Roofing Systems Installer | $81.34 | $59.00 | $140.34 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-MR-2026-2J |
Modular Furniture InstallerInstaller (Area 1) · 3 rates | $39.80 | $29.37 | $69.17 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-31-15-2026-1 |
Operating EngineerGroup 1 · 54 rates | $72.22 | $36.29 | $108.51 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-63-1-2026-2D |
PainterPainter · 4 rates | $56.10 | $29.02 | $85.12 | Feb 22, 2026 | 200-X-1 |
Pile DriverPile Driver, Wharf, and Dock Builder · 20 rates | $69.51 | $42.36 | $111.87 | Aug 22, 2026 | NC-23-31-11-2026-1 |
Plaster TenderPlaster Tender | $46.68 | $35.23 | $81.91 | Aug 22, 2026 | 102-X-12 |
PlastererPlasterer | $56.79 | $40.30 | $97.09 | Aug 22, 2026 | 203-66-1 |
Plumber / PipefitterPlumber, Steamfitter · 6 rates | $91.75 | $42.88 | $134.63 | Aug 22, 2026 | 204-467-1 |
RooferRoofer · 3 rates | $52.50 | $33.92 | $86.42 | Aug 22, 2026 | 232-X-40 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSheet Metal Worker · 7 rates | $81.34 | $59.00 | $140.34 | Aug 22, 2026 | 166-104-1 |
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 | $54.57 | $16.11 | $70.68 | Aug 22, 2026 | C-422-X-1-2026-2 |
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 · 2 rates | $39.03 | $23.45 | $62.48 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-3-7 |
Tile SetterTile Setter | $60.44 | $29.15 | $89.59 | Aug 22, 2026 | 018-3-7 |
Tree Maintenance LaborerSenior Tree Trimmer (Area 1) · 3 rates | $32.40 | $12.17 | $44.57 | 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 San Mateo County?
Electrician, at $143.33 an hour. Each trade's main rate, highest first, split into the base wage and the employer payments DIR itemizes, on one scale.
- Electrician$143.33
- Metal Roofer$140.34
- Sheet Metal Worker$140.34
- Plumber / Pipefitter$134.63
- Elevator Constructor$133.615
- Heat & Frost Insulator$125.97
- Pile Driver$111.87
- Drywall Installer / Lather$110.78
- Carpenter$109.41
- Operating Engineer$108.51
- Boilermaker$107.98
- Dredger$106.67
- Inspector & Tester$101.99
- Utility Lineman$101.19
- Field Surveyor$100.58
- Soft Floor Layer$99.34
- Marble Mason$98.61
- Glazier$98.60
- Ironworker$97.56
- Plasterer$97.09
- Terrazzo Worker$96.80
- Bricklayer$93.25
- Tile Setter$89.59
- Roofer$86.42
- Tunnel Worker$86.16
- Painter$85.12
- Cement Mason$83.56
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$82.60
- Plaster Tender$81.91
- Slurry Seal Worker$76.42
- Striping & Traffic Control$76.27
- Brick Tender$73.66
- Abatement Laborer$72.96
- Laborer$72.96
- Terrazzo Finisher$71.34
- Telecom Technician$70.68
- Furniture Installer$69.17
- Line Clearance Trimmer$67.13
- Marble Finisher$66.94
- Tile Finisher$62.48
- Landscape Laborer$58.28
- Water Well Driller$51.14
- Tree Maintenance$44.57
- Hauling Driver$22.93
- Stator Rewinder$22.145
- Landscape Maintenance$17.20
Which Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover San Mateo 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 | CA20260019 | 6 | September 3, 2026 |
| Highway | CA20260018 | 8 | September 17, 2026 |
| Heavy | CA20260018 | 8 | September 17, 2026 |
Questions about San Mateo County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in San Mateo County?
$143.33 an hour: a $88.00 base wage plus $55.33 in employer payments (fringe benefits), for the main classification (Inside Wireman, Technician), under DIR determination 061-617-1. Overtime and every electrician rate in San Mateo County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in San Mateo County?
$72.96 an hour: a $40.65 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 San Mateo 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 electrician, the highest-paid trade in San Mateo County, the $143.33 total is a $88.00 base wage plus $55.33 in employer payments (fringe benefits).
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in San Mateo County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: CA20260018 (modification 8, September 17, 2026) for building, highway and heavy construction and CA20260019 (modification 6, September 3, 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 San Mateo County share its rates with other counties?
For 42 of its 46 trades, yes: DIR sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Carpenter rates, for example, are the same in 9 counties (California Area 1). The other 4 are San Mateo County's own.