Maine · Carpenter
Maine carpenter prevailing wage, county by county
A carpenter's prevailing wage on Maine public works runs from $32.14 an hour in Washington County to $49.70 in Androscoggin County. The median county is $37.85.
Main carpenter classification in each county (Carpenter), 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 a carpenter make on prevailing wage in Maine?
4 groups of counties with identical rates and 8 with rates of their own, highest main rate first. The table below lists which counties are in each group.
- Cumberland County group2 counties$49.70
- Androscoggin County1 county$49.70
- Penobscot County1 county$49.70
- Sagadahoc County1 county$49.70
- Statewide1 county$42.44
- Oxford County1 county$38.04
- Kennebec County group2 counties$37.85
- Somerset County group2 counties$36.99
- Knox County1 county$34.75
- Hancock County1 county$34.58
- Waldo County1 county$34.58
- Aroostook County group3 counties$32.14
Which counties pay which rate
| Counties | Main classification | Total | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County group, 2 localities: Cumberland, York | Carpenter | $49.70 | $30.01 |
| Androscoggin County | Carpenter | $49.70 | $30.01 |
| Penobscot County | Carpenter | $49.70 | $30.01 |
| Sagadahoc County | Carpenter | $49.70 | $30.01 |
| Statewide | Carpenter | $42.44 | $34.02 |
| Oxford County | Carpenter | $38.04 | $27.70 |
| Kennebec County group, 2 localities: Kennebec, Lincoln | Carpenter | $37.85 | $27.70 |
| Somerset County group, 2 localities: Franklin, Somerset | Carpenter | $36.99 | $30.95 |
| Knox County | Carpenter | $34.75 | $27.70 |
| Hancock County | Carpenter | $34.58 | $27.70 |
| Waldo County | Carpenter | $34.58 | $27.70 |
| Aroostook County group, 3 localities: Aroostook, Piscataquis, Washington | Carpenter | $32.14 | $27.65 |
4 groups of counties with identical MDOL rates, and 8 counties with rates of their 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 carpenter pay
What is the carpenter prevailing wage in Cumberland County?
$49.70 an hour: a $30.01 base wage plus $19.69 in benefits, under MDOL 2026 rates, effective January 10, 2026. Overtime and every carpenter classification in Cumberland County.
Does carpenter prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. In Cumberland County the $49.70 total is a $30.01 base wage plus $19.69 in benefits, about 40% of the total. The employer owes the full amount for every hour worked.
Does carpenter 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 carpenters 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 carpenter rate?
MDOL often publishes the same carpenter rates for several counties. Across Maine, the 16 counties with a carpenter rate fall into 12 distinct sets of rates, and 4 of those sets are shared by more than one county; the largest covers 3 counties (the Aroostook County group).