New Jersey prevailing wage rates

What is the prevailing wage rate in New Jersey?

It depends on the trade. Taking each trade's main rate in each county, NJDOL's figures run from $61.39 an hour (sign installer, Atlantic County) to $135.39 (elevator constructor, Bergen County). Each figure is the base wage plus fringe benefits. Pick a county or a trade below for the exact rate.

Rates by trade

Each trade page maps that trade's main rate in every county.

• Asbestos & Lead Abatement Laborer$70.49
• Boilermaker$94.42
• Bricklayer$90.03
• Carpenter$93.77
• Carpet & Soft Floor Layer$93.69
• Cement Mason$89.64
• Diver & Tender$107.50–$121.46
• Dredger$65.74
• Drywall Finisher$78.52
• Electrical Utility Lineman$107.49
• Electrician$106.77–$112.82
• Elevator Constructor$121.73–$135.39
• Field Surveyor$96.83
• Glazier$88.72–$90.67
• Hauling Driver (On/Off Site)$75.46–$85.10
• Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker)$82.61–$114.55
• Ironworker$94.21–$106.61
• Laborer$75.82
• Marble Finisher$89.65
• Marble Mason$107.14
• Millwright$96.09
• Operating Engineer$104.08
• Painter$80.16
• Paperhanger$84.84
• Pile Driver$95.12–$109.72
• Pipeline Construction Worker$100.84
• Plumber / Pipefitter$100.95–$111.61
• Refrigeration & A/C Mechanic$81.70
• Roofer$77.39–$92.88
• Sheet Metal Worker$92.98–$119.54
• Sign Installer$61.39–$93.34
• Slurry Seal Worker$80.75
• Striping & Traffic Control Worker$70.76
• Teamster (Truck Driver)$75.46–$98.02
• Telecommunications Technician$76.31–$81.01
• Terrazzo Worker$106.71
• Test Boring Driller$87.63–$105.67
• Tile Setter$77.00–$85.25
• Tunnel Worker$112.07
• Water Well Driller$104.42

How New Jersey's prevailing wage rules work

• Which projects. Construction, alteration, repair and maintenance done under contract and paid for in whole or part by a public body, or on property a public body owns or largely leases (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.26). The threshold is $19,375 for municipalities and $2,000 for every other public entity (NJDOL).
• County rates and statewide crafts. Rates are set for each of the 21 counties, while operating engineers, heavy and general laborers, asphalt, tunnel, pipeline, test-boring, dredging and utility electricians are statewide (NJDOL FAQ).
• Locked at award, with listed increases. The rates in effect on award apply, and "all pre-determined rate increases listed at the time the contract is awarded must also be paid". A determination is conclusive for 2 years (34:11-56.30).
• Posted rates are informational. NJDOL's posted rates are "for Informational Purposes Only"; official determinations are issued for each project at the public entity's request (NJDOL).
• Residential laborers only. There's no general residential schedule. The exception is a lower Laborer, Residential and Modular Construction rate for homes and buildings of up to four floors.
• Overtime is per craft. The Act sets no overtime formula; each craft's notes define the workday, shifts, overtime and holidays. The fringe stays at straight time unless the notes say otherwise.
• Registration and payroll. Every contractor and subcontractor registers with NJDOL. Certified payroll goes to the public body and to NJDOL's Wage Hub within 10 days of payday (34:11-56.29).
• Davis-Bacon overlap. Where both apply, "whichever rate is higher must be paid" (NJDOL FAQ).