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Bell County, KY · Laborer
Laborer prevailing wage in Bell County, Kentucky
$31.56an hour, base + fringe
$20.36 wage + $11.20 fringe benefits · Building · SUKY2015-001
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Bell County, a laborer must be paid at least $31.56 an hour: a $20.36 base wage plus $11.20 in fringe benefits, under wage determination KY20260019 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $31.56 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination KY20260019, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUKY2015-001 (June 2, 2015). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). Kentucky repealed its law in 2017 (HB 3), which also bars local prevailing wage rules (17RS HB 3).
DOL lists 14 laborer rates for Bell County, from $10.40 to $48.09 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $20.36 + $11.20
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL 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) | $20.36 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $11.20 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $31.56 |
When this rate changes
- 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)).
- DOL changes a WD by publishing a numbered modification on SAM.gov. This page reads the modification named in the Source line; the Kentucky change log lists what each one changed.
Every laborer rate in Bell County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- LABORER: POWER TOOL OPERATORBuilding · UAVGKY0008$48.09
- LABORER: AIRTRACK DRILLERHeavy · LABO1445-001$47.43
- LABORER: CONCRETE SAW (HAND HELD/WALK BEHIND)Heavy · LABO0189-014$46.78
- LABORER: CONCRETE WORKERHeavy · LABO0189-014$46.53
- LABORER: PIPELAYERBuilding · LABO0189-007$45.91
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 AUTO PATROL, BATCHER PLANT, BITUMINOUS PAVER, CABLE-WAY, CLAMSHELL, CONCRETE MIXER (21 CU FT OR OVER), CONCRETE PUMP, CRANE, CRUSHER PLANT, DERRICK, DERRICK BOAT, DITCHING AND TRENCHING MACHINE, DRAGLINE, DREDGE ENGINEER, ELEVATOR (REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP WHEN USED FOR HOISTING ANY BUILDING MATERIAL), ELEVATING GRADER AND ALL TYPES OF LOADERS, HOE-TYPE MACHINE, HOISTING ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, LETOURNEAU OR CARRY-ALL SCOOP, BULLDOZER, MECHANIC, ORANGEPEEL BUCKET, PILEDRIVER, POWER BLADE, ROLLER (BITUMINOUS), ROLLER (EARTH), ROLLER (ROCK), SCARIFIER, SHOVEL, TRACTOR SHOVEL, TRUCK CRANE, WELL POINT, WINCH TRUCK, PUSH DOZER, GROUT PUMP, HIGH LIFT, FORK LIFT (REGARDLESS OF LIFT HEIGHT), ALL TYPES OF BOOM CATS, MULTIPLE OPERATOR, CORE DRILL, TOW OR PUSH BOAT, A-FRAME WINCH TRUCK, CONCRETE PAVER, GRADE-ALL, HOIST, HYSTER, MATERIAL PUMP, PUMPCRETE, ROSS CARRIER, SHEEPFOOT, SIDEBOOM, THROTTLE-VALVE MAN, ROTARY DRILL, POWER GENERATOR, MUCKING MACHINE, ROCK SPREADER ATTACHED TO EQUIPMENT, SCOOPMOBILE, KECAL LOADER, TOWER CRANES (FRENCH, GERMAN AND OTHER TYPES), HYDOCRANE, TUGGER, BACKFILLER GURRIES, SELF-PROPELLED COMPACTOR, SELF-CONTAINED HYDRAULIC PERCUSSION DRILLHighway · SUKY2015-047$44.35
- LABORER: GROUP 4 CAISSON WORKERS (FREE AIR), CEMENT FINISHERS, ENVIRONMENTAL LABORER - NUCLEAR, RADIATION, TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS WASTE - LEVEL A AND B, MINERS AND DRILLERS (FREE AIR), TUNNEL BLASTERS, AND TUNNEL MOCKERS (FREE AIR), DIRECTIONAL AND HORIZONTAL BORING, AIR TRACK DRILLERS (ALL TYPES), POWDER MAN AND BLASTERS, TROXLER AND CONCRETE TESTER IF LABORER IS UTILIZEDHighway · SUKY2015-047$35.06
- LABORER: GROUP 3 AIR TRACK DRILLER (ALL TYPES), ASPHALT LUTEMAN AND RAKERS, GUNNITE NOZZLEMAN, GUNNITE OPERATORS AND MIXERS, GROUT PUMP OPERATOR, POWDERMAN AND BLASTER, SIDE RAIL SETTERS, RAIL PAVED DITCHES, SCREW OPERATORS, TUNNEL LABORERS (FREE AIR), WATER BLASTERSHighway · SUKY2015-047$34.46
- LABORER: GROUP 2 BATTER BOARD MEN (SANITARY AND STORM SEWER), BRICKMASON TENDERS, MORTAR MIXER OPERATOR, SCAFFOLD BUILDERS, BURNER AND WELDER, BUSHAMMERS, CHAIN SAW OPERATOR, CONCRETE SAW OPERATORS, DECKHAND SCOW MAN, DRY CEMENT HANDLERS, ENVIRONMENTAL LABORERS - NUCLEAR, RADIATION, TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS WASTE - LEVEL C, FORKLIFT OPERATORS FOR MASONRY, FORM SETTERS, GREEN CONCRETE CUTTING, HAND OPERATED GROUTER AND GRINDER MACHINE OPERATOR, JACK HAMMERS, LEAD PAINT ABATEMENT, PAVEMENT BREAKERS, PAVING JOINT MACHINE, PIPE LAYERS - LASER OPERATORS (NON-METALLIC), PLASTIC PIPE FUSION, POWER DRIVEN GEORGIA BUGGY AND WHEEL BARROW, POWER POST HOLE DIGGERS, PRECAST MANHOLE SETTERS, WALK-BEHIND TAMPERS, WALK-BEHIND TRENCHERS, SAND BLASTERS, CONCRETE CHIPPERS, SURFACE GRINDERS, VIBRATOR OPERATORS, WAGON DRILLERSHighway · SUKY2015-047$34.41
- LABORER: MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETEBuilding · SUKY2015-001$32.69
- LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALBuilding · SUKY2015-001$31.56
- LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALHeavy · SUKY2011-016$30.75
- LABORER: PIPELAYERHeavy · SUKY2011-016$29.07
- LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALResidential · SUKY2010-037$10.40
| Classification | Base + fringe | Base | Fringe benefits | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LABORER: PIPELAYERBuildingLABO0189-007 | $45.91 | $28.53 | $17.38 | KY20260019 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETEBuildingSUKY2015-001 | $32.69 | $22.27 | $10.42 | KY20260019 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALBuildingSUKY2015-001 | $31.56 | $20.36 | $11.20 | KY20260019 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: POWER TOOL OPERATORBuildingUAVGKY0008 | $48.09 | $28.73 | $19.36 | KY20260019 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: GROUP 2 BATTER BOARD MEN (SANITARY AND STORM SEWER), BRICKMASON TENDERS, MORTAR MIXER OPERATOR, SCAFFOLD BUILDERS, BURNER AND WELDER, BUSHAMMERS, CHAIN SAW OPERATOR, CONCRETE SAW OPERATORS, DECKHAND SCOW MAN, DRY CEMENT HANDLERS, ENVIRONMENTAL LABORERS - NUCLEAR, RADIATION, TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS WASTE - LEVEL C, FORKLIFT OPERATORS FOR MASONRY, FORM SETTERS, GREEN CONCRETE CUTTING, HAND OPERATED GROUTER AND GRINDER MACHINE OPERATOR, JACK HAMMERS, LEAD PAINT ABATEMENT, PAVEMENT BREAKERS, PAVING JOINT MACHINE, PIPE LAYERS - LASER OPERATORS (NON-METALLIC), PLASTIC PIPE FUSION, POWER DRIVEN GEORGIA BUGGY AND WHEEL BARROW, POWER POST HOLE DIGGERS, PRECAST MANHOLE SETTERS, WALK-BEHIND TAMPERS, WALK-BEHIND TRENCHERS, SAND BLASTERS, CONCRETE CHIPPERS, SURFACE GRINDERS, VIBRATOR OPERATORS, WAGON DRILLERSHighwaySUKY2015-047 | $34.41 | $22.05 | $12.36 | KY20260107 Mod 2 |
| LABORER: GROUP 3 AIR TRACK DRILLER (ALL TYPES), ASPHALT LUTEMAN AND RAKERS, GUNNITE NOZZLEMAN, GUNNITE OPERATORS AND MIXERS, GROUT PUMP OPERATOR, POWDERMAN AND BLASTER, SIDE RAIL SETTERS, RAIL PAVED DITCHES, SCREW OPERATORS, TUNNEL LABORERS (FREE AIR), WATER BLASTERSHighwaySUKY2015-047 | $34.46 | $22.10 | $12.36 | KY20260107 Mod 2 |
| LABORER: GROUP 4 CAISSON WORKERS (FREE AIR), CEMENT FINISHERS, ENVIRONMENTAL LABORER - NUCLEAR, RADIATION, TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS WASTE - LEVEL A AND B, MINERS AND DRILLERS (FREE AIR), TUNNEL BLASTERS, AND TUNNEL MOCKERS (FREE AIR), DIRECTIONAL AND HORIZONTAL BORING, AIR TRACK DRILLERS (ALL TYPES), POWDER MAN AND BLASTERS, TROXLER AND CONCRETE TESTER IF LABORER IS UTILIZEDHighwaySUKY2015-047 | $35.06 | $22.70 | $12.36 | KY20260107 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 AUTO PATROL, BATCHER PLANT, BITUMINOUS PAVER, CABLE-WAY, CLAMSHELL, CONCRETE MIXER (21 CU FT OR OVER), CONCRETE PUMP, CRANE, CRUSHER PLANT, DERRICK, DERRICK BOAT, DITCHING AND TRENCHING MACHINE, DRAGLINE, DREDGE ENGINEER, ELEVATOR (REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP WHEN USED FOR HOISTING ANY BUILDING MATERIAL), ELEVATING GRADER AND ALL TYPES OF LOADERS, HOE-TYPE MACHINE, HOISTING ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, LETOURNEAU OR CARRY-ALL SCOOP, BULLDOZER, MECHANIC, ORANGEPEEL BUCKET, PILEDRIVER, POWER BLADE, ROLLER (BITUMINOUS), ROLLER (EARTH), ROLLER (ROCK), SCARIFIER, SHOVEL, TRACTOR SHOVEL, TRUCK CRANE, WELL POINT, WINCH TRUCK, PUSH DOZER, GROUT PUMP, HIGH LIFT, FORK LIFT (REGARDLESS OF LIFT HEIGHT), ALL TYPES OF BOOM CATS, MULTIPLE OPERATOR, CORE DRILL, TOW OR PUSH BOAT, A-FRAME WINCH TRUCK, CONCRETE PAVER, GRADE-ALL, HOIST, HYSTER, MATERIAL PUMP, PUMPCRETE, ROSS CARRIER, SHEEPFOOT, SIDEBOOM, THROTTLE-VALVE MAN, ROTARY DRILL, POWER GENERATOR, MUCKING MACHINE, ROCK SPREADER ATTACHED TO EQUIPMENT, SCOOPMOBILE, KECAL LOADER, TOWER CRANES (FRENCH, GERMAN AND OTHER TYPES), HYDOCRANE, TUGGER, BACKFILLER GURRIES, SELF-PROPELLED COMPACTOR, SELF-CONTAINED HYDRAULIC PERCUSSION DRILLHighwaySUKY2015-047 | $44.35 | $29.95 | $14.40 | KY20260107 Mod 2 |
| LABORER: CONCRETE WORKERHeavyLABO0189-014 | $46.53 | $26.87 | $19.66 | KY20260060 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: CONCRETE SAW (HAND HELD/WALK BEHIND)HeavyLABO0189-014 | $46.78 | $27.12 | $19.66 | KY20260060 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: AIRTRACK DRILLERHeavyLABO1445-001 | $47.43 | $27.77 | $19.66 | KY20260060 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: PIPELAYERHeavySUKY2011-016 | $29.07 | $20.15 | $8.92 | KY20260060 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALHeavySUKY2011-016 | $30.75 | $21.36 | $9.39 | KY20260060 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALResidentialSUKY2010-037 | $10.40 | $10.40 | $0.00 | KY20260003 Mod 1 |
How Bell County compares
The main laborer rate in every county that has one, and how the pay splits here and nearby. All bars use the same scale.
Every county in Kentucky
Bell $31.564318372198
$12.50Allen$48.09Henderson
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Bell Countybase $20.36$31.56
- Knox Countybase $16.97$23.08
- Harlan Countybase $20.36$31.56
- Whitley Countybase $16.97$23.08
Laborer rates in nearby counties
Current DOL rates. Davis-Bacon rates are set for groups of counties, so neighbours often share them; the county where the work is done decides.
| County | Classification | Base + fringe | Base | vs Bell County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $31.56 | $20.36 | |
| Harlan County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $31.56 | $20.36 | same |
| Leslie County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $31.56 | $20.36 | same |
| Clay County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $31.56 | $20.36 | same |
| Knox County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $23.08 | $16.97 | −$8.48 |
| Whitley County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $23.08 | $16.97 | −$8.48 |
| Laurel County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $17.06 | $13.10 | −$14.50 |
More from DOL on this rate
- DOL wage determination
- SAM.gov wage determinations
- Davis-Bacon determinations list journeyworker rates. Apprentices in a program registered with DOL or a recognized state agency can be paid the program's percentage of the rate, within its ratio; anyone else gets the full rate (29 CFR 5.5(a)(4)).
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your base pay to the fringe your employer pays for you, in cash or into plans, and compare the sum with the total. The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints: 1-866-487-9243, or dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints.
Source
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (DOL), wage determination KY20260019 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/KY20260019/1
We read every active Kentucky Davis-Bacon wage determination from SAM.gov's own data and check every number with a second, independent read of the same file. DOL prints no total; ours is base plus fringe. How we check · Download Bell County as CSV · Report an error