Maine · Earth Driller
Maine earth driller prevailing wage, county by county
An earth driller's prevailing wage on Maine public works runs from $28.81 an hour in York County to $30.43 in Androscoggin County. The median county is $28.81.
Main earth driller classification in each county (Earth drillers - except oil and gas), 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 earth driller 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.
- Androscoggin County group4 counties · Earth Drillers - Except Oil and Gas$30.43
- Statewide1 county · Earth Drillers - Except Oil and Gas$30.43
- Kennebec County group5 counties · Earth Drillers - Except Oil and Gas$28.81
- Penobscot County group5 counties · Earth Drillers - Except Oil and Gas$28.81
- Cumberland County group2 counties · Earth Drillers - Except Oil and Gas$28.81
Which counties pay which rate
| Counties | Main classification | Total | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin County group, 4 localities: Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, Somerset | Earth Drillers - Except Oil and Gas | $30.43 | $22.81 |
| Statewide | Earth Drillers - Except Oil and Gas | $30.43 | $22.81 |
| Kennebec County group, 5 localities: Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo | Earth Drillers - Except Oil and Gas | $28.81 | $25.04 |
| Penobscot County group, 5 localities: Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Washington | Earth Drillers - Except Oil and Gas | $28.81 | $25.04 |
| Cumberland County group, 2 localities: Cumberland, York | Earth Drillers - Except Oil and Gas | $28.81 | $25.04 |
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 earth driller pay
What is the earth driller prevailing wage in Cumberland County?
$28.81 an hour: a $25.04 base wage plus $3.77 in benefits, under MDOL 2026 rates, effective January 10, 2026. Overtime and every earth driller classification in Cumberland County.
Does earth driller prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. In Cumberland County the $28.81 total is a $25.04 base wage plus $3.77 in benefits, about 13% of the total. The employer owes the full amount for every hour worked.
Does earth driller 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 earth drillers 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 earth driller rate?
MDOL often publishes the same earth driller rates for several counties. Across Maine, the 16 counties with an earth driller 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).