Maine · Laborer
Maine laborer prevailing wage, county by county
A laborer's prevailing wage on Maine public works runs from $26.82 an hour in Washington County to $41.62 in Cumberland County. The median county is $27.36.
Main laborer classification in each county (Construction laborer), 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 laborer make on prevailing wage in Maine?
4 groups of counties with identical rates and 5 with rates of their own, highest main rate first. The table below lists which counties are in each group.
- Cumberland County group2 counties$41.62
- Penobscot County1 county$41.62
- Sagadahoc County1 county$41.62
- Androscoggin County1 county$30.04
- Statewide1 county$29.82
- Kennebec County group3 counties$27.36
- Oxford County group3 counties$27.36
- Waldo County1 county$27.36
- Aroostook County group4 counties$26.82
Which counties pay which rate
| Counties | Main classification | Total | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County group, 2 localities: Cumberland, York | Construction Laborer | $41.62 | $21.90 |
| Penobscot County | Construction Laborer | $41.62 | $21.90 |
| Sagadahoc County | Construction Laborer | $41.62 | $21.90 |
| Androscoggin County | Construction Laborer | $30.04 | $18.66 |
| Statewide | Construction Laborer | $29.82 | $26.94 |
| Kennebec County group, 3 localities: Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln | Construction Laborer | $27.36 | $25.32 |
| Oxford County group, 3 localities: Franklin, Oxford, Somerset | Construction Laborer | $27.36 | $24.46 |
| Waldo County | Construction Laborer | $27.36 | $25.32 |
| Aroostook County group, 4 localities: Aroostook, Hancock, Piscataquis, Washington | Construction Laborer | $26.82 | $23.48 |
4 groups of counties with identical MDOL rates, and 5 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 laborer pay
What is the laborer prevailing wage in Cumberland County?
$41.62 an hour: a $21.90 base wage plus $19.72 in benefits, under MDOL 2026 rates, effective January 10, 2026. Overtime and every laborer classification in Cumberland County.
Does laborer prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. In Cumberland County the $41.62 total is a $21.90 base wage plus $19.72 in benefits, about 47% of the total. The employer owes the full amount for every hour worked.
Does laborer 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 laborers 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 laborer rate?
MDOL often publishes the same laborer rates for several counties. Across Maine, the 16 counties with a laborer rate fall into 9 distinct sets of rates, and 4 of those sets are shared by more than one county; the largest covers 4 counties (the Aroostook County group).