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Maine insulator prevailing wage, county by county
An insulator's prevailing wage on Maine public works runs from $29.60 an hour in Somerset County to $45.63 in Cumberland County. The median county is $33.40.
Main insulator classification in each county (Insulation worker - mechanical), MDOL 2026 rates, effective January 10, 2026. A rate written into a contract "must remain unchanged during the time the contract is in effect" (26 MRSA §1306). Checked October 25, 2026.
How much does an insulator make on prevailing wage in Maine?
4 groups of counties with identical rates and 1 with rates of their own, highest main rate first. The table below lists which counties are in each group.
- Cumberland County group2 counties · Insulation Worker - Mechanical$45.63
- Kennebec County group5 counties · Insulation Worker - Mechanical$33.40
- Penobscot County group5 counties · Insulation Worker - Mechanical$33.40
- Statewide1 county · Insulation Worker - Mechanical$33.40
- Androscoggin County group4 counties · Insulation Worker - Mechanical$29.60
Which counties pay which rate
| Counties | Main classification | Total | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County group, 2 localities: Cumberland, York | Insulation Worker - Mechanical | $45.63 | $28.57 |
| Kennebec County group, 5 localities: Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo | Insulation Worker - Mechanical | $33.40 | $27.35 |
| Penobscot County group, 5 localities: Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Washington | Insulation Worker - Mechanical | $33.40 | $27.35 |
| Statewide | Insulation Worker - Mechanical | $33.40 | $27.35 |
| Androscoggin County group, 4 localities: Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, Somerset | Insulation Worker - Mechanical | $29.60 | $25.00 |
4 groups of counties with identical MDOL rates, and 1 county with rates of its own.
MDOL's determinations list journey-level rates only. Registered apprentices are paid "the rates recognized in the sponsorship agreement for registered apprentices working in the pertinent classification" (every MDOL determination; 26 MRSA §1314(2)). Holders of a state apprentice licence who aren't in a registered program are not apprentices for this purpose.
Questions about Maine insulator pay
What is the insulator prevailing wage in Cumberland County?
$45.63 an hour: a $28.57 base wage plus $17.06 in benefits, under MDOL 2026 rates, effective January 10, 2026. Overtime and every insulator classification in Cumberland County.
Does insulator prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. In Cumberland County the $45.63 total is a $28.57 base wage plus $17.06 in benefits, about 37% of the total. The employer owes the full amount for every hour worked.
Does insulator prevailing wage pay overtime in Maine?
MDOL's determinations print no overtime and the prevailing wage law sets none. Maine's general wage law applies: 1½ times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a week, with no daily overtime (26 MRSA §664(3)).
Do apprentice insulators get this rate?
MDOL's determinations list journey-level rates only. Registered apprentices are paid "the rates recognized in the sponsorship agreement for registered apprentices working in the pertinent classification" (every MDOL determination; 26 MRSA §1314(2)). Holders of a state apprentice licence who aren't in a registered program are not apprentices for this purpose.
Why do some counties have the same insulator rate?
MDOL often publishes the same insulator rates for several counties. Across Maine, the 16 counties with an insulator rate fall into 5 distinct sets of rates, and 4 of those sets are shared by more than one county; the largest covers 5 counties (the Kennebec County group).