Home / Montana / Sanders County
Prevailing wage rates in Sanders County, Montana
DLI's DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026 sets 86 prevailing wage rates for 27 trades on public works in Sanders County. Each trade's main rate runs from $30.39 an hour (glazier) to $115.15 (elevator constructor), base wage plus fringe benefits.
Sanders County prevailing wage by trade, A to Z
| Trade | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BoilermakerBOILERMAKERS | $41.25 | $29.65 | $70.90 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HVY-2026-04-25 |
BricklayerBRICK, BLOCK, AND STONE MASONS · 2 rates | $33.81 | $18.06 | $51.87 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
CarpenterCARPENTERS · 3 rates | $32.05 | $16.33 | $48.38 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Cement MasonCEMENT MASONS AND CONCRETE FINISHERS · 3 rates | $31.59 | $5.29 | $36.88 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Diver & TenderDIVER TENDERS · 6 rates | $54.24 | $17.28 | $71.52 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Drywall Installer / LatherDRYWALL APPLICATORS | $32.05 | $15.02 | $47.07 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Electrical Utility LinemanLINE CONSTRUCTION - GROUNDMAN · 5 rates | $29.96 | $17.64 | $47.60 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
ElectricianELECTRICIANS: INCLUDING BUILDING AUTOMATION CONTROL · 3 rates | $40.71 | $18.05 | $58.76 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Elevator ConstructorELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS | $67.61 | $47.54 | $115.15 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
FlaggerCONSTRUCTION LABORERS GROUP 1/FLAG PERSON FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL | $27.71 | $10.75 | $38.46 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
GlazierGLAZIERS | $25.32 | $5.07 | $30.39 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker)INSULATION WORKERS - MECHANICAL (HEAT AND FROST) · 2 rates | $43.81 | $22.94 | $66.75 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
IronworkerIRONWORKERS - STRUCTURAL IRON AND STEEL WORKERS · 6 rates | $36.83 | $25.78 | $62.61 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
LaborerCONSTRUCTION LABORERS GROUP 2 · 9 rates | $28.42 | $10.34 | $38.76 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
MillwrightMILLWRIGHTS · 3 rates | $45.26 | $23.71 | $68.97 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Operating EngineerCONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 · 21 rates | $31.33 | $15.05 | $46.38 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
PainterPAINTERS · 3 rates | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Pile DriverPILE BUCKS · 2 rates | $38.05 | $16.33 | $54.38 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Pilot Car DriverTRUCK DRIVERS - Pilot Car Driver, Pilot Car Driver | $28.21 | $12.57 | $40.78 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
PlastererPLASTERERS | $32.05 | $15.02 | $47.07 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Plumber / PipefitterPLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, AND STEAMFITTERS · 3 rates | $39.38 | $16.26 | $55.64 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Refrigeration & A/C MechanicHEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING | $40.07 | $22.93 | $63.00 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
RooferROOFERS | $34.89 | $13.33 | $48.22 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSHEET METAL WORKERS | $40.07 | $22.93 | $63.00 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)TRUCK DRIVERS · 3 rates | $25.80 | $6.43 | $32.23 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Telecommunications TechnicianTELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSTALLERS | $38.89 | $12.94 | $51.83 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
Tile SetterTILE AND STONE SETTERS | $27.80 | $2.93 | $30.73 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25 |
One main rate per trade; open a trade for its other classifications, dated steps and DLI's notes. 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.
Sanders County is in District 1, with Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli. Building rates apply "to the district in which the work is being performed"; heavy and highway rates are statewide (MCA 18-2-403).
Which trades pay the most in Sanders County?
Elevator constructor, at $115.15 an hour. Each trade's main rate, as its page leads with it, highest first, split into the base wage and the benefits DLI lists, on one scale.
- Elevator Constructor$115.15
- Diver & Tender$71.52
- Boilermaker$70.90
- Millwright$68.97
- Heat & Frost Insulator$66.75
- Refrigeration Mechanic$63.00
- Sheet Metal Worker$63.00
- Ironworker$62.61
- Electrician$58.76
- Plumber / Pipefitter$55.64
- Pile Driver$54.38
- Bricklayer$51.87
- Telecom Technician$51.83
- Painter$48.84
- Carpenter$48.38
- Roofer$48.22
- Utility Lineman$47.60
- Drywall Installer / Lather$47.07
- Plasterer$47.07
- Operating Engineer$46.38
- Pilot Car Driver$40.78
- Laborer$38.76
- Flagger$38.46
- Cement Mason$36.88
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$32.23
- Tile Setter$30.73
- Glazier$30.39
Which Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Sanders 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 | MT20260060 | 2 | May 18, 2026 |
| Residential | MT20260004 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | MT20260080 | 3 | June 4, 2026 |
| Heavy | MT20260078 | 2 | May 18, 2026 |
Questions about Sanders County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Sanders County?
$58.76 an hour: a $40.71 base wage plus $18.05 in benefits, for the main classification, under DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026. Overtime and every electrician rate in Sanders County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Sanders County?
$38.76 an hour: a $28.42 base wage plus $10.34 in benefits, for the main classification (CONSTRUCTION LABORERS GROUP 2), under DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026. Overtime and every laborer rate in Sanders 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 Sanders County, the $115.15 total is a $67.61 base wage plus $47.54 in benefits.
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in Sanders County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: MT20260060 (modification 2, May 18, 2026) for building construction, MT20260004 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction, MT20260080 (modification 3, June 4, 2026) for highway construction and MT20260078 (modification 2, 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 Sanders 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 7 counties (the Missoula County group).