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Prevailing wage rates in Dorchester County, Maryland
DOL's Maryland informational rates as printed October 25, 2026 sets 119 prevailing wage rates for 28 trades on public works in Dorchester County. Each trade's main rate runs from $21.73 an hour (plaster tender) to $83.92 (electrician), base wage plus fringe benefits.
Dorchester County prevailing wage by trade, A to Z
| Trade | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Asbestos & Lead Abatement LaborerLABORER - HAZARDOUS MATERIAL HANDLER · 2 rates | $25.10 | $4.96 | $30.06 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Brick TenderLABORER - MASON TENDER · 2 rates | $25.10 | $4.96 | $30.06 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
BricklayerBRICKLAYER | $38.80 | $15.57 | $54.37 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
CarpenterCARPENTER | $32.87 | $19.43 | $52.30 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Carpet & Soft Floor LayerCARPET LAYER · 2 rates | $35.10 | $15.33 | $50.43 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Cement MasonCEMENT MASON | $24.83 | $2.64 | $27.47 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Diver & TenderMARINE - DIVER | $37.74 | $14.73 | $52.47 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-H-019 |
Drywall FinisherDRYWALL - SPACKLING, TAPING, & FINISHING | $29.16 | $12.01 | $41.17 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
ElectricianELECTRICIAN · 2 rates | $47.50 | $36.42 | $83.92 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Elevator ConstructorELEVATOR MECHANIC | $52.00 | $11.26 | $63.26 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Fence BuilderIRONWORKER - FENCE ERECTOR | $32.28 | $9.04 | $41.32 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
FireprooferFIREPROOFER - BY HAND · 2 rates | $22.18 | $4.25 | $26.43 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
FlaggerLABORER - FLAGGER · 2 rates | $21.00 | $0.73 | $21.73 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
GlazierGLAZIER | $39.48 | $8.88 | $48.36 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
IronworkerIRONWORKER - STRUCTURAL · 3 rates | $37.70 | $17.11 | $54.81 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-H-019 |
LaborerLABORER - COMMON · 42 rates | $21.00 | $0.73 | $21.73 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Landscape & Irrigation LaborerLABORER - LANDSCAPING · 2 rates | $21.00 | $0.73 | $21.73 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
MillwrightMILLWRIGHT | $35.81 | $7.79 | $43.60 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-H-019 |
Operating EngineerPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE · 32 rates | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
PainterPAINTER · 2 rates | $29.16 | $12.01 | $41.17 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Plaster TenderLABORER - PLASTERER - HANDLER · 3 rates | $21.00 | $0.73 | $21.73 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Plumber / PipefitterPLUMBER · 2 rates | $46.22 | $24.55 | $70.77 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Refrigeration & A/C MechanicMECHANICAL SYSTEMS SERVICE TECH- HVAC SYSTEMS | $47.70 | $25.93 | $73.63 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSHEETMETAL WORKER (INCLUDING METAL ROOFING) · 3 rates | $50.92 | $24.61 | $75.53 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)TRUCK DRIVER - DUMP · 5 rates | $23.96 | $3.60 | $27.56 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Telecommunications TechnicianCOMMUNICATION INSTALLER TECHNICIAN | $33.99 | $13.85 | $47.84 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Tile FinisherTILE & TERRAZZO FINISHER | $28.85 | $12.85 | $41.70 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Tile SetterTILE & TERRAZZO MECHANIC | $34.34 | $14.50 | $48.84 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
One main rate per trade; open a trade for its other classifications, dated steps and DOL's notes. Maryland informational rates as printed October 25, 2026. A determination applies to a project advertised before it expires, and mid-year changes apply only to newly issued determinations (SFP 17-209; DOL FAQ #47). Checked against labor.maryland.gov on October 25, 2026.
These are DOL's informational rates. The binding rates are in the project's wage determination, in the bid documents.
Which trades pay the most in Dorchester County?
Electrician, at $83.92 an hour. Each trade's main rate, as its page leads with it, highest first, split into the base wage and the fringe benefits DOL lists, on one scale.
- Electrician$83.92
- Sheet Metal Worker$75.53
- Refrigeration Mechanic$73.63
- Plumber / Pipefitter$70.77
- Elevator Constructor$63.26
- Operating Engineer$61.10
- Ironworker$54.81
- Bricklayer$54.37
- Diver & Tender$52.47
- Carpenter$52.30
- Soft Floor Layer$50.43
- Tile Setter$48.84
- Glazier$48.36
- Telecom Technician$47.84
- Millwright$43.60
- Tile Finisher$41.70
- Fence Builder$41.32
- Drywall Finisher$41.17
- Painter$41.17
- Abatement Laborer$30.06
- Brick Tender$30.06
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$27.56
- Cement Mason$27.47
- Fireproofer$26.43
- Flagger$21.73
- Laborer$21.73
- Landscape Laborer$21.73
- Plaster Tender$21.73
Which Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Dorchester County?
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's rates. Maryland's law excludes the federally funded part of a contract that already pays Davis-Bacon rates (MD Labor FAQ). Each trade's page shows its federal rate next to DOL's.
| Construction | Wage determination | Modification | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | MD20260114 | 2 | June 4, 2026 |
| Residential | MD20260001 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | MD20260037 Excludes Dredging | 2 | June 4, 2026 |
| Heavy | MD20260037 Excludes Dredging | 2 | June 4, 2026 |
Specialty WDs also cover Dorchester County for narrow kinds of work, and don't stand in for the rates above: MD20260005 (All Dredging, except self-propelled hopper dredges, on the Atlantic Coast and tributary wa).
Questions about Dorchester County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Dorchester County?
$83.92 an hour: a $47.50 base wage plus $36.42 in fringe benefits, for the main classification, under Maryland informational rates as printed October 25, 2026. Overtime and every electrician rate in Dorchester County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Dorchester County?
$21.73 an hour: a $21.00 base wage plus $0.73 in fringe benefits, for the main classification (LABORER - COMMON), under Maryland informational rates as printed October 25, 2026. Overtime and every laborer rate in Dorchester County.
Does the prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. The rate is a base wage plus fringe benefits, and the employer owes both for every hour. For electrician, the highest-paid trade in Dorchester County, the $83.92 total is a $47.50 base wage plus $36.42 in fringe benefits.
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in Dorchester County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: MD20260114 (modification 2, June 4, 2026) for building construction, MD20260001 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction and MD20260037 (modification 2, June 4, 2026) for highway and heavy construction. Maryland's law excludes the federally funded part of a contract that already pays Davis-Bacon rates (MD Labor FAQ).
Does Dorchester County share its rates with other counties?
For 15 of its 28 trades, yes: DOL sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Plumber or pipefitter rates, for example, are the same in 3 counties (the Dorchester County group). The other 13 are Dorchester County's own.