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Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates in St. Joseph County, Indiana
2 Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover St. Joseph County for building, residential, highway and heavy construction, with 80 rates across 20 trades. Of each trade's main rate, elevator constructor is the highest at $100.71 an hour and teamster the lowest at $34.75, base plus fringe.
The Department of Labor modifies these determinations on SAM.gov in weekly batches through the year; the latest Indiana modification we hold is dated July 30, 2026. A contract keeps the wage determination in its bid documents. Modifications published before bid opening apply to it, though one published less than 10 days before can be left out if the agency finds there isn't time to tell bidders (29 CFR 1.6(c)). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). Indiana repealed its Common Construction Wage Act effective July 1, 2015, and IC 5-16-7.2-5 bars public agencies from setting wage scales (Indiana DOL).
St. Joseph County rates by trade, highest first
Each trade's main rate, highest first, split into the base wage and the fringe benefits DOL lists. All bars share one scale. The table below lists the same rates A to Z with classifications.
- Elevator Constructor$100.71
- Inland Boatman$89.30
- Boilermaker$81.41
- Plumber / Pipefitter$78.33
- Sheet Metal Worker$74.88
- Operating Engineer$74.80
- Abatement Laborer$72.13
- Heat & Frost Insulator$72.13
- Millwright$66.41
- Fence Builder$60.95
- Carpenter$60.68
- Glazier$58.89
- Roofer$55.59
- Bricklayer$54.84
- Painter$52.36
- Plasterer$50.40
- Laborer$48.58
- Cement Mason$47.74
- Electrician$45.29
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$34.75
All trades and classifications, A to Z
One main rate per trade, with its classification and base wage. Open a trade for its other classifications, dated steps and DOL's notes. Click a column heading to sort.
| Trade | Main classification | Base + fringe | Base | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos & Lead Abatement Laborer · St. Joseph County group | HAZARDOUS MATERIAL HANDLER: INCLUDES PREPARATION, WETTING, STRIPPING, REMOVAL, SCRAPPING, VACCUMING, BAGGING, AND DISPOSAL OF ALL INSULATION MATERIALS, WHETHER THEY CONTAIN ASBESTOS OR NOT, FROM MECHANICAL SYSTEMS (REMAINING COUNTIES) | $72.13 | $41.20 | 1 |
| Boilermaker · St. Joseph County group | BOILERMAKER | $81.41 | $43.24 | 1 |
| Bricklayer | BRICKLAYER: TERRAZZO FINISHER (SOUTH BEND: ST. JOSEPH COUNTY) | $54.84 | $33.00 | 3 |
| Carpenter | CARPENTER (ST. JOSEPH COUNTY) | $60.68 | $34.70 | 2 |
| Cement Mason | CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER: HEAVY & HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION (LAKE COUNTY (EXCEPT BY THE NORTHEAST SECTION LYING NORTH OF CROWN POINT AND EAST OF GRIFFITH)) | $47.74 | $33.94 | 5 |
| Electrician | ELECTRICIAN | $45.29 | $27.00 | 1 |
| Elevator Constructor · St. Joseph County group | ELEVATOR MECHANIC (LA PORTE AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTIES) A) PAID HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, LABOR DAY, VETERANS' DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY, THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING, AND CHRISTMAS DAY. B) EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTES 8% OF REGULAR HOURLY RATE TO VACATION PAY CREDIT FOR EMPLOYEE WITH MORE THAN 5 YEARS OF SERVICE; 6% FOR LESS THAN 5 YEARS' SERVICE | $100.71 | $62.27 | 1 |
| Fence Builder | LABORERS: UTILITY CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 1 CONSTRUCTION LABORER, CARPENTER TENDER, FENCE ERECTOR, GRADE CHECKER, GUARD RAIL ERECTOR, CONTINUOUS STEEL ROD OR MAT INSTALLER, WIRE MESH LAYER, JOINT MAN (MORTAR, MASTIC, AND ALL OTHER TYPES), LIGHTING INSTALLER (PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY), LINEMAN FOR AUTOMATIC GRADE MAKER ON PAVING MACHINES, MORTAR MAN, MULTI-PLANT ERECTOR, RIP-RAP INSTALLER (ALL PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS), ROAD MARKING AND DELINEATION LABORER, SETTING AND PLACING OF ALL PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTS, SING INSTALLATION INCLUDING SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, SPRAYING OF ALL EPOXY, CURING COMPOUND, OR LIKE MATERIAL, FLAGPERSON, AIR TOOL, POWER TOOL OPERATOR, ASPHALT RAKER MAN, BATCH TRUCK DUMPER, BRIDGE HAND RAIL ERECTOR, HANDLER (BULK OR BAG CEMENT), CHAIN SAW MAN, CONCRETE PUDDLER, CONCRETE RUBBER, CONCRETE SAW OPERATOR, CORE DRILL OPERATOR, EYE LEVEL, HAND BLADE OPERATOR HYDRO SEEDER MAN, MOTOR DRIVEN GEORGIA BUGGY OPERATOR, POWER DRIVEN COMPACTOR OR TAPER OPERATOR, POWER SAW OPERATOR, PUMP CRETE ASSEMBLY MAN, SREED MAN OR SCREW MAN ON ASPHALT PAVER, REGAR INSTALLER, SANDBLASTER MAN, SEALER APPLICATOR FOR ASPHALT (TOXIC), SETTING AND PLACING PRE-STRESSED ON PRE-CAST CONCRETE STRUCTURAL MEMBERS, SIDE RAIL SETTERS (FOR SIDEWALK, SIDE DITCHES, RADII, AND PAVEMENT), SPREADER BOX TENDER (MANUA OR POWER DRIVEN), STRAW BLOWER MAN, SUBSUREFACE DRAIN AND CULVERT PIPE LAYER, CONCRETE CONVEYOR, HORIZONAL BORING AND JACKMAN AND SHEETMAN, PIPE GREADE MAN, WINCH AND WINDLESS OPERATOR CONDUIT INSTALLER, SOD LAYER (LAKE COUNTY) | $60.95 | $33.45 | 2 |
| Glazier | GLAZIER (ST. JOSEPH COUNTY) | $58.89 | $34.22 | 2 |
| Inland Boatman · Lake County group | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, HEAVY/HIGHWAY GROUP 5 DECK HAND, HETHERINGTON DRIVER, MECHANICAL HEATER (1 TO 5), OUTBOARD OR INBOARD MOTOR BOAT, OILER, POWER SAW (CONCRETE POWER DRIVEN), WATER PUMP, GRASSCUTTER. (LAKE, LAPORTE, PORTER AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTIES) | $89.30 | $45.90 | 1 |
| Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker) · St. Joseph County group | ASBESTOS WORKER/HEAT & FROST INSULATOR (REMAINING COUNTIES) | $72.13 | $41.20 | 1 |
| Laborer | LABORERS:: GROUP 1 (ST JOSEPH COUNTY) (BUILDING CONSTRUCTION) | $48.58 | $29.88 | 11 |
| Millwright | MILLWRIGHT (ADAMS, ALLEN, CASS, DEKALB, ELKHART, FULTON, GRANT, HOWARD, HUNTINGTON, KOSCIUSKO, LAGRANGE, MARSHALL, MIAMI, NOBLE, ST. JOSEPH, STEUBEN, TIPTON, WABASH, WELLS AND WHITLEY COUNTIES) | $66.41 | $35.89 | 1 |
| Operating Engineer | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION GROUP 1 MECHANIC, ASPHALT PLANT, ASPHALT SPREADER, AUTO GRADER; BATCH PLANT, BENOTO (REQUIRES 2 ENGINEERS), BOILER AND THROTTLE VALVE, BORING MACHINE (ROAD), BULLDOZERS (WITH ENGINES OF 140 NET HORSE POWER OR MORE) CAISSON RIGS, CENTRAL REDI-MIX PLANT, CONCRETE CONVEYOR SYSTEMS, CONCRETE POWER (OVER 27E CU. FT.), CONCRETE PAVER (27E CU. FT. AND UNDER), CONCRETE PUMPS/GROUT CNCRETE PLACER (TRUCK MOUNTED), CONCRETE TOWER, CRANES AND BACKHOES (ALL), CRANES, HAMMERHEAD TOWER, CRETER CRANE, DERRICKS (ALL), FORKLIFT (CAPBLE OF HOISTING AND MECHANICALLY MOVING FORKS HORIZONTALLY), GRADER, ELEVATING, HIGHLIFT SHOVELS OR FRONT END LOADERS (OVER 3 YD BUCKET), HOISTS (2 OR MORE DRUMS), LOCOMOTIVES (ALL), LASER SCREED, MOTOR PATROL, PILE DRIVERS AND SKID RIG, PRE-STRESS MACHINES, PUMP CRETES & SIMILAR TYPES, ROCK DRILL (SELF-PROPELLED), ROCK DRILL (SELF PROPELLED TRUCK MOUNTED), SCOOPS (TRACTOR DRAWN), SLIP-FORM PAVER, TOURNAPULL, TRACTOR WITH BOOM & SIDE BOOM, TRENCHING MACHINE (12 OR MORE INCHES IN WIDTH), COMBINATION BACKHOE FRONT END LOADER MACHINE WITH BACKHOE 1/2 YD BUCKET OR ATTACHMENTS. (ST. JOSEPH COUNTY) | $74.80 | $36.15 | 14 |
| Painter | PAINTER: BRUSH & ROLLER, DRYWALL TAPING & FINISHING, VINYL/PAPER HANGING (LA PORTE (EVERYTHING EAST OF HWY 39 AND NORTH OF HWY 20, INCLUDING THE CITIES OF LAPORTE AND MICHIGAN CITY); ST. JOSEPH COUNTIES) | $52.36 | $32.50 | 4 |
| Plasterer | PLASTERER (LAKE COUNTY (EXCEPT BY THE NORTHEAST SECTION LYING NORTH OF CROWN POINT AND EAST OF GRIFFITH)) | $50.40 | $32.70 | 4 |
| Plumber / Pipefitter | PLUMBER (LAKE, LAPORTE (EXCLUDING THE CITY OF LAPORTE) AND PORTER COUNTIES) | $78.33 | $49.77 | 5 |
| Roofer · St. Joseph County group | ROOFER: COMPOSITION (LA PORTE AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTIES) | $55.59 | $34.55 | 3 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | SHEET METAL WORKER (ST. JOSEPH COUNTY) | $74.88 | $44.45 | 2 |
| Teamster (Truck Driver) | TRUCK DRIVER GROUP 4 (BUILDING CONSTRUCTION) SEMI TRAILER TRUCKS (ST. JOSEPH COUNTY) | $34.75 | $34.75 | 16 |
Wage determinations for St. Joseph County
The WD that applies depends on the kind of construction. Every rate on this page names its WD and modification.
| Construction | Wage determination | Modification | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | IN20260001 | 3 | May 18, 2026 |
| Residential | IN20260051 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | IN20260001 | 3 | May 18, 2026 |
| Heavy | IN20260001 | 3 | May 18, 2026 |
Questions about St. Joseph County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in St. Joseph County?
$45.29 an hour: a $27.00 base wage plus $18.29 in fringe benefits, for the main classification, under wage determination IN20260051, modification 1. Overtime and every electrician rate in St. Joseph County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in St. Joseph County?
$48.58 an hour: a $29.88 base wage plus $18.70 in fringe benefits, for the main classification, under wage determination IN20260001, modification 3. Overtime and every laborer rate in St. Joseph County.
Does the prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. The rate is a base wage plus fringe benefits, and the employer owes both for every hour. For elevator constructor, the highest-paid trade in St. Joseph County, the $100.71 total is a $62.27 base wage plus $38.44 in fringe benefits.
Which Davis-Bacon wage determination covers St. Joseph County?
It depends on the kind of construction: IN20260001 (modification 3, May 18, 2026) for building, highway and heavy construction and IN20260051 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction. Your contract names the one that applies.
Does St. Joseph County share its rates with other counties?
For 6 of its 20 trades, yes: DOL sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Asbestos and lead abatement laborer rates, for example, are the same in 2 counties (the St. Joseph County group). The other 14 are St. Joseph County's own.