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Prevailing wage rates in Dawson County, Montana
DLI's DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026 sets 86 rates across 27 trades for public works in Dawson County. Of each trade's main rate, elevator constructor is the highest at $115.15 an hour and cement mason the lowest at $28.09, base + benefit.
DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026. "The wage rates applicable to a particular public works project are those in effect at the time the bid specifications are advertised" (ARM 24.17.127). Checked against erd.dli.mt.gov on October 25, 2026.
Dawson County is in District 4, with Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Daniels, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Stillwater, Treasure, Valley, Wibaux, Yellowstone. Building rates apply "to the district in which the work is being performed"; heavy and highway rates are statewide (MCA 18-2-403).
Dawson County rates by trade, highest first
Each trade's main rate, highest first, split into the base wage and the benefits DLI lists. All bars share one scale. The table below lists the same rates A to Z with classifications.
- Elevator Constructor$115.15
- Diver & Tender$71.52
- Boilermaker$70.90
- Millwright$68.97
- Heat & Frost Insulator$66.75
- Refrigeration Mechanic$63.00
- Ironworker$62.61
- Plumber / Pipefitter$62.31
- Sheet Metal Worker$59.75
- Electrician$58.24
- Roofer$57.17
- Pile Driver$54.38
- Bricklayer$51.87
- Painter$48.84
- Carpenter$48.38
- Utility Lineman$47.60
- Operating Engineer$47.29
- Drywall Installer / Lather$47.07
- Plasterer$47.07
- Pilot Car Driver$40.78
- Flagger$38.46
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$37.24
- Laborer$36.65
- Telecom Technician$35.76
- Tile Setter$34.43
- Glazier$29.90
- Cement Mason$28.09
All trades and classifications, A to Z
One main rate per trade, with its classification and base wage. Open a trade for its other classifications, dated steps and DLI's notes. Click a column heading to sort.
| Trade | Main classification | Base + benefit | Base | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boilermaker · Yellowstone County group | BOILERMAKERS | $70.90 | $41.25 | 1 |
| Bricklayer · Yellowstone County group | BRICK, BLOCK, AND STONE MASONS | $51.87 | $33.81 | 2 |
| Carpenter · Yellowstone County group | CARPENTERS | $48.38 | $32.05 | 3 |
| Cement Mason · Yellowstone County group | CEMENT MASONS AND CONCRETE FINISHERS | $28.09 | $27.13 | 3 |
| Diver & Tender · Yellowstone County group | DIVER TENDERS | $71.52 | $54.24 | 6 |
| Drywall Installer / Lather · Yellowstone County group | DRYWALL APPLICATORS | $47.07 | $32.05 | 1 |
| Electrical Utility Lineman · Yellowstone County group | LINE CONSTRUCTION - GROUNDMAN | $47.60 | $29.96 | 5 |
| Electrician · Yellowstone County group | ELECTRICIANS: INCLUDING BUILDING AUTOMATION CONTROL | $58.24 | $41.92 | 3 |
| Elevator Constructor · Yellowstone County group | ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS | $115.15 | $67.61 | 1 |
| Flagger · Yellowstone County group | CONSTRUCTION LABORERS GROUP 1/FLAG PERSON FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL | $38.46 | $27.71 | 1 |
| Glazier · Yellowstone County group | GLAZIERS | $29.90 | $24.83 | 1 |
| Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker) · Yellowstone County group | INSULATION WORKERS - MECHANICAL (HEAT AND FROST) | $66.75 | $43.81 | 2 |
| Ironworker · Yellowstone County group | IRONWORKERS - STRUCTURAL IRON AND STEEL WORKERS | $62.61 | $36.83 | 6 |
| Laborer · Yellowstone County group | CONSTRUCTION LABORERS GROUP 2 | $36.65 | $26.80 | 9 |
| Millwright · Yellowstone County group | MILLWRIGHTS | $68.97 | $45.26 | 3 |
| Operating Engineer · Yellowstone County group | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $47.29 | $30.50 | 21 |
| Painter · Yellowstone County group | PAINTERS | $48.84 | $36.00 | 3 |
| Pile Driver · Yellowstone County group | PILE BUCKS | $54.38 | $38.05 | 2 |
| Pilot Car Driver · Yellowstone County group | TRUCK DRIVERS - Pilot Car Driver, Pilot Car Driver | $40.78 | $28.21 | 1 |
| Plasterer · Yellowstone County group | PLASTERERS | $47.07 | $32.05 | 1 |
| Plumber / Pipefitter · Yellowstone County group | PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, AND STEAMFITTERS | $62.31 | $41.00 | 3 |
| Refrigeration & A/C Mechanic · Yellowstone County group | HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING | $63.00 | $40.07 | 1 |
| Roofer · Yellowstone County group | ROOFERS | $57.17 | $34.24 | 1 |
| Sheet Metal Worker · Yellowstone County group | SHEET METAL WORKERS | $59.75 | $38.14 | 1 |
| Teamster (Truck Driver) · Yellowstone County group | TRUCK DRIVERS | $37.24 | $31.25 | 3 |
| Telecommunications Technician · Yellowstone County group | TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSTALLERS | $35.76 | $23.90 | 1 |
| Tile Setter · Yellowstone County group | TILE AND STONE SETTERS | $34.43 | $31.07 | 1 |
Davis-Bacon wage determinations for Dawson County
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's rates. Montana's law doesn't apply where federal law sets the rate, so a Davis-Bacon job uses the federal schedule (DLI FAQ). Each trade's page shows its federal rate next to DLI's.
| Construction | Wage determination | Modification | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | MT20260029 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Residential | MT20260019 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | MT20260080 | 3 | June 4, 2026 |
| Heavy | MT20260076 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
Questions about Dawson County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Dawson County?
$58.24 an hour: a $41.92 base wage plus $16.32 in benefits, for the main classification, under DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026. Overtime and every electrician rate in Dawson County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Dawson County?
$36.65 an hour: a $26.80 base wage plus $9.85 in benefits, for the main classification (CONSTRUCTION LABORERS GROUP 2), under DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026. Overtime and every laborer rate in Dawson County.
Does the prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. The rate is a base wage plus benefits, and the employer owes both for every hour. For elevator constructor, the highest-paid trade in Dawson County, the $115.15 total is a $67.61 base wage plus $47.54 in benefits.
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in Dawson County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: MT20260029 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for building construction, MT20260019 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction, MT20260080 (modification 3, June 4, 2026) for highway construction and MT20260076 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for heavy construction. Montana's law doesn't apply where federal law sets the rate, so a Davis-Bacon job uses the federal schedule (DLI FAQ).
Does Dawson County share its rates with other counties?
For 27 of its 27 trades, yes: DLI sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Electrician rates, for example, are the same in 21 counties (the Yellowstone County group).