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Kauai County, HI · Diver & Tender
Diver & Tender prevailing wage in Kauai County, Hawaii
$111.25an hour, base wage + fringe benefits · Scuba Diver
$74.54 base wage + $36.71 fringe benefits
Kauai County uses the same commercial diver rates as 4 other counties. See all of them on one page.
On Hawaii public works in Kauai County, a commercial diver working as scuba diver must be paid at least $111.25 an hour: a $74.54 base wage plus $36.71 in fringe benefits.
Wage Rate Schedule WRS 511 with addenda 512 and 513 (Oct 2, 2026); this rate, effective September 14, 2026. Hawaii doesn't lock rates at bid: increases apply to contracts already under way from the date DLIR publishes them (HRS 104-2(b)(3)). Checked against labor.hawaii.gov on October 25, 2026.
DLIR lists 6 commercial diver rates for Kauai County, from $98.84 to $120.62 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $74.54 + $36.71
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DLIR prints the fringe benefits as one hourly figure, not itemized; it can go to health, pension, vacation and training plans, or be paid as cash where the state allows.
| Base wage (taxable) | $74.54 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $36.71 |
| Total hourly rate, as printed | $111.25 |
When does this rate change?
- Hawaii doesn't lock rates at bid. When DLIR raises a rate, the contractor must pay it during the contract, from the date of publication and not retroactively (HRS 104-2(b)(3); HAR 12-22-3(d),(f)).
- DLIR issues full schedules on or about February 15 and September 15, plus addenda as needed. This page uses WRS 511 (September 14, 2026) with addenda 512 (September 15) and 513 (October 2). The next full schedule is due on or about February 15, 2027 (DLIR Wage Rate Schedule).
Every commercial diver rate in Kauai County
As DLIR lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Scuba Diver (Wet) (over 30 feet)$120.62
- Diver - Diving Other Than Aqua Lung (Surface Supplied Diving): Diver$120.62
- Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Scuba Diver (Wet) (up to 30 feet)$111.25
- Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Stand-By Diver$101.87
- Diver - Diving Other Than Aqua Lung (Surface Supplied Diving): Stand-By Diver$101.87
- Diver - Diving Other Than Aqua Lung (Surface Supplied Diving): Tender$98.84
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Stand-By Diver | $65.16 | $36.71 | $101.87 | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Scuba Diver (Wet) (up to 30 feet) | $74.54 | $36.71 | $111.25 | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Scuba Diver (Wet) (over 30 feet) | $83.91 | $36.71 | $120.62 | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Diver - Diving Other Than Aqua Lung (Surface Supplied Diving): Tender | $62.13 | $36.71 | $98.84 | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Diver - Diving Other Than Aqua Lung (Surface Supplied Diving): Stand-By Diver | $65.16 | $36.71 | $101.87 | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Diver - Diving Other Than Aqua Lung (Surface Supplied Diving): Diver | $83.91 | $36.71 | $120.62 | Sep 14, 2026 |
Davis-Bacon commercial diver rate in Kauai County
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's wage determinations. Hawaii's rates may not be lower than the Davis-Bacon rates for the same class on federal projects in the state (HRS 104-2(b)(2)).
We don't put a federal figure next to DLIR's here, because this page leads with a classification the federal determinations don't list one to one. The federal rows for this trade are below; match the classification to the work.
| Construction | Federal classification | Base wage | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy | STAND-BY DIVER: OTHER THAN AQUA LUNGENGI0003-002 | $62.97 | $98.65 | HI20260001 Mod 4 |
| Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy | STAND-BY DIVER: (AQUA LUNG) (SCUBA)ENGI0003-002 | $62.97 | $98.65 | HI20260001 Mod 4 |
| Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy | DIVER: OTHER THAN AQUA LUNGENGI0003-002 | $81.72 | $117.40 | HI20260001 Mod 4 |
| Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy | DIVER: (AQUA LUNG) (SCUBA) (up to 30 feet)ENGI0003-002 | $72.35 | $108.03 | HI20260001 Mod 4 |
| Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy | DIVER: (AQUA LUNG) (SCUBA) (over 30 feet)ENGI0003-002 | $81.72 | $117.40 | HI20260001 Mod 4 |
| Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy | DIVER TENDER: OTHER THAN AQUA LUNGENGI0003-002 | $59.94 | $95.62 | HI20260001 Mod 4 |
Davis-Bacon rates from SAM.gov, read October 25, 2026. Our federal totals are base plus fringe; DOL prints no total. Hawaii Davis-Bacon changes
How Kauai County compares
The main commercial diver rate in every county that has one, and how the pay splits here and nearby. All bars use the same scale.
Every county in Hawaii
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Kauai Countybase $74.54$111.25
- City and County of Honolulubase $74.54$111.25
- Kalawao Countybase $74.54$111.25
- Maui Countybase $74.54$111.25
Diver & Tender rates in nearby counties
Current DLIR rates. DLIR sets one statewide rate per class, "paid to the greatest number of those employed in the State" (HRS 104-2(b)(1)).
DLIR's commercial diver rates for Kauai County are the same as in 4 other counties: Hawaii, Honolulu, Kalawao, Maui.
| County | Classification | Base wage | Total rate | vs Kauai County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kauai County | Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Scuba Diver (Wet) (up to 30 feet) | $74.54 | $111.25 | |
| City and County of Honolulu | Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Scuba Diver (Wet) (up to 30 feet) | $74.54 | $111.25 | same |
| Kalawao County | Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Scuba Diver (Wet) (up to 30 feet) | $74.54 | $111.25 | same |
| Maui County | Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Scuba Diver (Wet) (up to 30 feet) | $74.54 | $111.25 | same |
| Hawaii County | Diver - Aqua Lung Diving (Scuba Diver): Scuba Diver (Wet) (up to 30 feet) | $74.54 | $111.25 | same |
Hawaii commercial diver prevailing wage by county, with a map
Notes on this rate
DLIR's notes, in DLIR's words.
- 12 Possible wage/fringe option increases: Carpenter; Drywall & Acoustical Worker and Lather: Effective 8/30/27 - $0.65; 9/4/28 - $0.65 Cement Finisher: Effective 9/5/27 - $0.30; 9/4/28 - $0.30 Diver: Effective 8/30/27 - $3.30; 9/4/28 – $3.30 Dredging – Clamshell and Hydraulic Suction: Effective 8/30/27 - $3.30; 9/4/28 – $3.30 Equipment Operator: Effective 8/30/27 - $3.30; 9/4/28 – $3.30 Floor Layer (Carpet, Linoleum & Soft Tile): Effective 3/5/28 - $0.25 Helicopter Work: Effective 8/30/27 - $3.30; 9/4/28 – $3.30 Mason (Bricklayer): Effective 8/30/27 - $0.30; 9/4/28 - $0.30 Paving: Effective 8/30/27 - $3.30; 9/4/28 – $3.30 Plasterer: Effective 9/5/27 - $0.30; 9/4/28 - $0.30 Tile, Marble and Terrazzo Worker: Effective 9/5/27 - $0.25; 9/3/28 - $0.30
- 13 Overtime/Holiday must be paid at one and one-half times the basic hourly rate, plus the hourly cost of required fringe, including legal holidays of the State (https://dhrd.hawaii.gov/state-observed-holidays/), with the following exceptions: A. Two times the basic hourly rate, plus the hourly cost of required fringe. Boilermaker: Sunday, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Kamehameha Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Diver: Sunday, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Kamehameha Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Dredging – Clamshell and Hydraulic Suction: Sunday, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Kamehameha Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Electrician (Inside, Outside): Sunday, New Year’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Kamehameha Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Elevator Constructor: Saturday, Sunday, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Equipment Operator: Sunday, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Kamehameha Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Floor Layer (Carpet, Linoleum & Soft Tile): Labor Day. Glazier: Sunday. Helicopter Work: Sunday, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Kamehameha Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Iron Worker: Sunday, New Year’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Kamehameha Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Paving: Sunday, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Kamehameha Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Plumber: Sunday, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Kamehameha Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Sheet Metal Worker: Sunday, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Kamehameha Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Telecommunication / Teledata: Sunday, New Year’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. B. Three times the basic hourly wage, plus the hourly cost of required fringe on Labor Day. Carpenter (Includes all classifications in the Carpenters Master Agreement) Cement Finisher Chain Link Fence Erector Drywall & Acoustical Worker and Lather Heat and Frost Insulator Laborer Mason (Bricklayer) Plasterer Tile, Marble and Terrazzo Worker
More from DLIR on this rate
- DLIR Wage Rate Schedule, page 1
- DLIR's Wage Rate Schedule
- This schedule lists journeyworker rates. DLIR's separate Apprentice Schedule applies only to apprentices individually registered in a DLIR-approved program (HAR 12-22-6).
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your basic hourly rate to what your employer pays into health, pension and other plans for you, and compare it with the total. Your employer must pay weekly, post the rates on site and give you a copy at hire (HRS 104-2(d)). Wage Standards Division, Oahu: (808) 586-8777.
Source
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), Wage Rate Schedule HI-WRS512-10, issued September 15, 2026, effective September 14, 2026, page 1: labor.hawaii.gov/rs/files/2026/09/WRS512.pdf
We read every row of WRS 511, 512 and 513 and assemble the pages in force, then check every number with a second, separate PDF reader. Basic plus fringe equals DLIR's printed total on all rows. How we check · Download Kauai County as CSV · Report an error