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Nelson County, KY · Laborer
Laborer prevailing wage in Nelson County, Kentucky
$22.05an hour, base + fringe
$17.76 wage + $4.29 fringe benefits · Building · SUKY2015-035
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Nelson County, a laborer must be paid at least $22.05 an hour: a $17.76 base wage plus $4.29 in fringe benefits, under wage determination KY20260096 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $22.05 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination KY20260096, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUKY2015-035 (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 Kentucky repealed its law in 2017 (HB 3), which also bars local prevailing wage rules (17RS HB 3).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 20 laborer rates for Nelson County, from $12.10 to $58.29 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $17.76 + $4.29
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) | $17.76 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $4.29 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $22.05 |
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 Nelson County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 2 BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADER; CONCRETE PUMP OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS OPERATING CRANES, WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUAL OR EXCEEDS 150 FEET, SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE THE GROUP 1 RATE. EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW GROUND LEVEL ARE TO BE PAID 10% ABOVE BASIC WAGE RATE. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO OPEN CUT WORKHeavy · ENGI0181-024$58.29
- LABORER: CONCRETE SAW (HAND HELD/WALK BEHIND)Heavy · LABO0265-014$50.14
- LABORERS: GROUP 4 CAISSON WORKER (FREE AIR); CEMENT FINISHER; ENVIRONMENTAL - NUCLEAR, RADIATION, TOXIC & HAZARDOUS WASTE - LEVELS A & B; MINER & DRILLER (FREE AIR); TUNNEL BLASTER; & TUNNEL MUCKER (FREE AIR); DIRECTIONAL & HORIZONTAL BORING; AIR TRACK DRILLERS (ALL TYPES); POWDERMEN & BLASTERS; TROXLER & CONCRETE TESTER IF LABORER IS UTILIZED (ANDERSON, BULLITT, CARROLL, HARDIN, HENRY, JEFFERSON, LARUE, MARION, MEADE, NELSON, OLDHAM, SHELBY, SPENCER, TRIMBLE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES)Highway · LABO0189-008$47.43
- LABORERS: GROUP 3 ASPHALT LUTEMAN & RAKER; GUNNITE NOZZLEMAN; GUNNITE OPERATOR & MIXER; GROUT PUMP OPERATOR; SIDE RAIL SETTER; RAIL PAVED DITCHES; SCREW OPERATOR; TUNNEL (FREE AIR); WATER BLASTER (ANDERSON, BULLITT, CARROLL, HARDIN, HENRY, JEFFERSON, LARUE, MARION, MEADE, NELSON, OLDHAM, SHELBY, SPENCER, TRIMBLE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES)Highway · LABO0189-008$46.83
- LABORERS: GROUP 2 BATTER BOARD MAN (SANITARY & STORM SEWER); BRICKMASON TENDER; MORTAR MIXER OPERATOR; SCAFFOLD BUILDER; BURNER & WELDER; BUSHAMMER; CHAIN SAW OPERATOR; CONCRETE SAW OPERATOR; DECKHAND SCOW MAN; DRY CEMENT HANDLER; ENVIRONMENTAL - NUCLEAR, RADIATION, TOXIC & HAZARDOUS WASTE - LEVEL C; FORKLIFT OPERATOR FOR MASONARY; FORM SETTER; GREEN CONCRETE CUTTING; HAND OPERATED GROUTER & GRINDER MACHINE OPERATOR; JACKHAMMER; PAVEMENT BREAKER; PAVING JOINT MACHINE; PIPELAYER; PLASTIC PIPE FUSION; POWER DRIVEN GEORGIA BUGGY & WHEEL BARROW; POWER POST HOLE DIGGER; PRECAST MANHOLE SETTER; WALK-BEHIND TAMPER; WALK-BEHIND TRENCHER; SAND BLASTER; CONCRETE CHIPPER; SURFACE GRINDER; VIBRATOR OPERATOR; WAGON DRILLER (ANDERSON, BULLITT, CARROLL, HARDIN, HENRY, JEFFERSON, LARUE, MARION, MEADE, NELSON, OLDHAM, SHELBY, SPENCER, TRIMBLE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES)Highway · LABO0189-008$46.78
- LABORER: CHIPPING GUNS, FORM-STRIPPING & VIBRATING PLATEHeavy · LABO0189-018$46.78
- LABORER: GRADE CHECKER & SIGNAL MANHeavy · LABO0189-018$46.53
- LABORER: CARPENTER TENDER & CONCRETE WORKERHeavy · LABO0576-008$46.53
- LABORER: GROUTING, MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETE, POWER TOOL OPERATOR, TAMPER - HAND HELD, VIBRATING PLATEBuilding · LABO0576-017$40.21
- LABORER: BACKFILLER, CARPENTER TENDER, DEMOLITIONBuilding · LABO0576-015$40.01
- LABORER: AIRTOOL OPERATORBuilding · UAVGKY0015$36.60
- LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALHeavy · SUKY2011-031$30.98
- LABORER: PIPELAYERHeavy · SUKY2011-031$30.86
- LABORER: BACKFILLERHeavy · SUKY2011-031$30.40
- LABORER: PIPELAYERBuilding · SUKY2015-035$30.26
- LABORER: CONCRETE SAW (HAND HELD/WALK BEHIND)Building · SUKY2015-035$25.90
- LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALBuilding · SUKY2015-035$22.05
- LABORER: GRADE CHECKERResidential · SUKY2010-046$15.57
- LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALResidential · SUKY2010-046$12.18
- LABORER: MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETEResidential · SUKY2010-046$12.10
| Classification | Base + fringe | Base | Fringe benefits | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LABORER: BACKFILLER, CARPENTER TENDER, DEMOLITIONBuildingLABO0576-015 | $40.01 | $26.69 | $13.32 | KY20260096 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: GROUTING, MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETE, POWER TOOL OPERATOR, TAMPER - HAND HELD, VIBRATING PLATEBuildingLABO0576-017 | $40.21 | $26.89 | $13.32 | KY20260096 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: PIPELAYERBuildingSUKY2015-035 | $30.26 | $20.36 | $9.90 | KY20260096 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: CONCRETE SAW (HAND HELD/WALK BEHIND)BuildingSUKY2015-035 | $25.90 | $19.93 | $5.97 | KY20260096 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALBuildingSUKY2015-035 | $22.05 | $17.76 | $4.29 | KY20260096 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: AIRTOOL OPERATORBuildingUAVGKY0015 | $36.60 | $23.86 | $12.74 | KY20260096 Mod 1 |
| LABORERS: GROUP 4 CAISSON WORKER (FREE AIR); CEMENT FINISHER; ENVIRONMENTAL - NUCLEAR, RADIATION, TOXIC & HAZARDOUS WASTE - LEVELS A & B; MINER & DRILLER (FREE AIR); TUNNEL BLASTER; & TUNNEL MUCKER (FREE AIR); DIRECTIONAL & HORIZONTAL BORING; AIR TRACK DRILLERS (ALL TYPES); POWDERMEN & BLASTERS; TROXLER & CONCRETE TESTER IF LABORER IS UTILIZED (ANDERSON, BULLITT, CARROLL, HARDIN, HENRY, JEFFERSON, LARUE, MARION, MEADE, NELSON, OLDHAM, SHELBY, SPENCER, TRIMBLE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES)HighwayLABO0189-008 | $47.43 | $27.77 | $19.66 | KY20260038 Mod 1 |
| LABORERS: GROUP 3 ASPHALT LUTEMAN & RAKER; GUNNITE NOZZLEMAN; GUNNITE OPERATOR & MIXER; GROUT PUMP OPERATOR; SIDE RAIL SETTER; RAIL PAVED DITCHES; SCREW OPERATOR; TUNNEL (FREE AIR); WATER BLASTER (ANDERSON, BULLITT, CARROLL, HARDIN, HENRY, JEFFERSON, LARUE, MARION, MEADE, NELSON, OLDHAM, SHELBY, SPENCER, TRIMBLE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES)HighwayLABO0189-008 | $46.83 | $27.17 | $19.66 | KY20260038 Mod 1 |
| LABORERS: GROUP 2 BATTER BOARD MAN (SANITARY & STORM SEWER); BRICKMASON TENDER; MORTAR MIXER OPERATOR; SCAFFOLD BUILDER; BURNER & WELDER; BUSHAMMER; CHAIN SAW OPERATOR; CONCRETE SAW OPERATOR; DECKHAND SCOW MAN; DRY CEMENT HANDLER; ENVIRONMENTAL - NUCLEAR, RADIATION, TOXIC & HAZARDOUS WASTE - LEVEL C; FORKLIFT OPERATOR FOR MASONARY; FORM SETTER; GREEN CONCRETE CUTTING; HAND OPERATED GROUTER & GRINDER MACHINE OPERATOR; JACKHAMMER; PAVEMENT BREAKER; PAVING JOINT MACHINE; PIPELAYER; PLASTIC PIPE FUSION; POWER DRIVEN GEORGIA BUGGY & WHEEL BARROW; POWER POST HOLE DIGGER; PRECAST MANHOLE SETTER; WALK-BEHIND TAMPER; WALK-BEHIND TRENCHER; SAND BLASTER; CONCRETE CHIPPER; SURFACE GRINDER; VIBRATOR OPERATOR; WAGON DRILLER (ANDERSON, BULLITT, CARROLL, HARDIN, HENRY, JEFFERSON, LARUE, MARION, MEADE, NELSON, OLDHAM, SHELBY, SPENCER, TRIMBLE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES)HighwayLABO0189-008 | $46.78 | $27.12 | $19.66 | KY20260038 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 2 BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADER; CONCRETE PUMP OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS OPERATING CRANES, WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUAL OR EXCEEDS 150 FEET, SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE THE GROUP 1 RATE. EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW GROUND LEVEL ARE TO BE PAID 10% ABOVE BASIC WAGE RATE. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO OPEN CUT WORKHeavyENGI0181-024 | $58.29 | $38.69 | $19.60 | KY20260075 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: GRADE CHECKER & SIGNAL MANHeavyLABO0189-018 | $46.53 | $26.87 | $19.66 | KY20260075 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: CHIPPING GUNS, FORM-STRIPPING & VIBRATING PLATEHeavyLABO0189-018 | $46.78 | $27.12 | $19.66 | KY20260075 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: CONCRETE SAW (HAND HELD/WALK BEHIND)HeavyLABO0265-014 | $50.14 | $35.69 | $14.45 | KY20260075 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: CARPENTER TENDER & CONCRETE WORKERHeavyLABO0576-008 | $46.53 | $28.94 | $17.59 | KY20260075 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: PIPELAYERHeavySUKY2011-031 | $30.86 | $20.86 | $10.00 | KY20260075 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALHeavySUKY2011-031 | $30.98 | $20.36 | $10.62 | KY20260075 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: BACKFILLERHeavySUKY2011-031 | $30.40 | $20.21 | $10.19 | KY20260075 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: MASON TENDER - CEMENT/CONCRETEResidentialSUKY2010-046 | $12.10 | $12.10 | $0.00 | KY20260012 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: GRADE CHECKERResidentialSUKY2010-046 | $15.57 | $14.00 | $1.57 | KY20260012 Mod 1 |
| LABORER: COMMON OR GENERALResidentialSUKY2010-046 | $12.18 | $11.10 | $1.08 | KY20260012 Mod 1 |
How Nelson 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
Nelson $22.05431837192198
$12.50Allen$48.09Henderson
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Nelson Countybase $17.76$22.05
- Washington Countybase $28.13$45.51
- Bullitt Countybase $20.36$30.26
- Spencer Countybase $20.36$30.26
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 Nelson County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | LABORER (CARPENTER TENDER, GRADE CHECKER) | $45.51 | $28.13 | +$23.46 |
| Bullitt County | LABORER: PIPELAYER | $30.26 | $20.36 | +$8.21 |
| Spencer County | LABORER: PIPELAYER | $30.26 | $20.36 | +$8.21 |
| Larue County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $24.16 | $18.87 | +$2.11 |
| Hardin County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $24.08 | $18.86 | +$2.03 |
| Marion County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $23.08 | $16.97 | +$1.03 |
| Nelson County | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $22.05 | $17.76 |
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 KY20260096 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/KY20260096/1
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 Nelson County as CSV · Report an error