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Prevailing wage rates in Essex County, New Jersey
NJDOL's NJDOL county packages of October 19, 2026 sets 437 prevailing wage rates for 38 trades on public works in Essex County. Each trade's main rate runs from $65.74 an hour (dredge worker) to $135.39 (elevator constructor), base wage plus fringe benefits.
Essex County prevailing wage by trade, A to Z
| Trade | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asbestos & Lead Abatement LaborerLaborer - Asbestos & Hazardous Waste Removal: Journeyman (Handler) · 2 rates | $42.77 | $27.72 | $70.49 | Aug 11, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
BoilermakerBoilermaker: Journeyman · 6 rates | $49.11 | $45.31 | $94.42 | Jan 12, 2024 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
BricklayerBricklayer, Stone Mason: Journeyman · 4 rates | $49.60 | $40.43 | $90.03 | Jul 7, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
CarpenterCarpenter: Journeyman · 3 rates | $58.52 | $35.25 | $93.77 | May 8, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Carpet & Soft Floor LayerCarpenter - Resilient Flooring: Journeyman · 2 rates | $58.52 | $35.17 | $93.69 | May 8, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Diver & TenderDiver · 2 rates | $66.97 | $54.49 | $121.46 | May 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
DredgerOPERATING ENGINEERS MARINE-DREDGING: Lead Dredgerman, Operator, Leverman · 13 rates | $49.94 | $15.80 | $65.74 | Oct 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-statewide |
Drywall FinisherDrywall Finisher: Journeyman · 3 rates | $46.03 | $32.49 | $78.52 | May 8, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Electrical Utility LinemanELECTRICIAN- UTILITY WORK (NORTH): Journeyman Lineman · 33 rates | $63.23 | $44.26 | $107.49 | Dec 4, 2025 | NJDOL-20261019-statewide |
ElectricianElectrician: Journeyman Wireman · 8 rates | $66.99 | $43.21 | $110.20 | Jul 10, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Elevator ConstructorElevator Constructor: Journeyman · 2 rates | $86.43 | $48.96 | $135.39 | Mar 17, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Field SurveyorOPERATING ENGINEERS: Field Engineer - Transit man or Instrument man · 6 rates | $54.38 | $42.45 | $96.83 | Jul 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-statewide |
GlazierGlazier: Journeyman · 4 rates | $53.93 | $34.79 | $88.72 | May 8, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Hauling Driver (On/Off Site)Truck Driver-Material Delivery Driver: Driver | $37.82 | $47.28 | $85.10 | May 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker)Heat & Frost Insulator: Journeyman · 3 rates | $62.74 | $43.36 | $106.10 | Sep 21, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
IronworkerIronworker: Structural Journeyman · 4 rates | $53.44 | $53.17 | $106.61 | Jul 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
LaborerLaborer - Building: Class A Journeyman · 22 rates | $40.97 | $34.85 | $75.82 | Jul 7, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Marble FinisherTile Finisher-Marble: Finisher | $51.04 | $38.61 | $89.65 | Jul 2, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Marble MasonTile Setter - Marble: Tile Setter | $65.61 | $41.53 | $107.14 | Jul 2, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
MillwrightMillwright: Journeyman · 2 rates | $59.94 | $36.15 | $96.09 | May 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Operating EngineerOPERATING ENGINEERS: Backhoe (combination) · 225 rates | $61.63 | $42.45 | $104.08 | Jul 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-statewide |
PainterCommercial Painter: Journeyman · 12 rates | $46.75 | $33.41 | $80.16 | May 8, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
PaperhangerPaperhanger: Journeyman · 3 rates | $51.43 | $33.41 | $84.84 | May 8, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Pile DriverDockbuilder/Pile Driver: Journeyman · 4 rates | $55.23 | $54.49 | $109.72 | May 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Pipeline Construction WorkerPIPELINE - MAINLINE TRANSMISSION: Pipeline Journeyman Welder · 6 rates | $60.89 | $39.95 | $100.84 | Jun 4, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-statewide |
Plumber / PipefitterPlumber: Journeyman · 8 rates | $64.19 | $47.40 | $111.59 | May 22, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Refrigeration & A/C MechanicAir Conditioning & Refrigeration - Service and Repair: Journeyman (Mechanic) | $48.73 | $32.97 | $81.70 | May 12, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
RooferRoofer: Journeyman · 2 rates | $47.12 | $34.24 | $81.36 | Jun 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Sheet Metal WorkerSheet Metal Worker: Journeyman · 3 rates | $62.59 | $53.23 | $115.82 | Jun 17, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Sign InstallerSheet Metal Sign Installation: Journeyman · 2 rates | $45.60 | $47.74 | $93.34 | Jun 3, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Striping & Traffic Control WorkerPainter - Line Striping: Journeyman 1 (at least 1 year of working exp. as a journeyman) · 5 rates | $41.35 | $29.41 | $70.76 | Dec 1, 2025 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Teamster (Truck Driver)Truck Driver: Low Boy Driver · 10 rates | $49.51 | $47.28 | $96.79 | May 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Telecommunications TechnicianElectrician - Teledata (15 Instruments and Less): Journeyman Technician (1-2 workers on job) · 6 rates | $49.48 | $30.93 | $80.41 | Dec 11, 2025 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Terrazzo WorkerTile Setter - Mosaic & Terrazzo: Mechanic · 3 rates | $62.82 | $43.89 | $106.71 | Jul 2, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Test Boring DrillerTEST BORING PRELIMINARY TO CONSTRUCTION-NORTH: Driller · 3 rates | $49.78 | $37.85 | $87.63 | Oct 19, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-statewide |
Tile SetterTile Setter - Ceramic: Finisher · 2 rates | $50.74 | $34.51 | $85.25 | Jun 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-essex |
Tunnel WorkerFREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Blaster · 18 rates | $71.44 | $40.63 | $112.07 | Mar 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-statewide |
Water Well DrillerDRILL FOR GROUND WATER SUPPLY: Driller · 2 rates | $61.97 | $42.45 | $104.42 | Jul 1, 2026 | NJDOL-20261019-statewide |
One main rate per trade; open a trade for its other classifications, dated steps and NJDOL's notes. NJDOL county packages of October 19, 2026. Rates are those in effect when the contract is awarded, plus every pre-determined increase listed then, from its date (NJDOL FAQ). Checked against nj.gov on October 25, 2026.
NJDOL's posted rates are informational. The public body obtains the project's official determination, and it goes in the contract.
Which trades pay the most in Essex County?
Elevator constructor, at $135.39 an hour. Each trade's main rate, as its page leads with it, highest first, split into the base wage and the fringe benefits NJDOL lists, on one scale.
- Elevator Constructor$135.39
- Diver & Tender$121.46
- Sheet Metal Worker$115.82
- Tunnel Worker$112.07
- Plumber / Pipefitter$111.59
- Electrician$110.20
- Pile Driver$109.72
- Utility Lineman$107.49
- Marble Mason$107.14
- Terrazzo Worker$106.71
- Ironworker$106.61
- Heat & Frost Insulator$106.10
- Water Well Driller$104.42
- Operating Engineer$104.08
- Pipeline Construction Worker$100.84
- Field Surveyor$96.83
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$96.79
- Millwright$96.09
- Boilermaker$94.42
- Carpenter$93.77
- Soft Floor Layer$93.69
- Sign Installer$93.34
- Bricklayer$90.03
- Marble Finisher$89.65
- Glazier$88.72
- Test Boring Driller$87.63
- Tile Setter$85.25
- Hauling Driver$85.10
- Paperhanger$84.84
- Refrigeration Mechanic$81.70
- Roofer$81.36
- Telecom Technician$80.41
- Painter$80.16
- Drywall Finisher$78.52
- Laborer$75.82
- Striping & Traffic Control$70.76
- Abatement Laborer$70.49
- Dredger$65.74
Which Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Essex County?
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's rates. Where both Davis-Bacon and the New Jersey Act apply, "whichever rate is higher must be paid" (NJDOL FAQ). Each trade's page shows its federal rate next to NJDOL's.
| Construction | Wage determination | Modification | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | NJ20260031 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Residential | NJ20260011 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | NJ20260002 | 2 | May 18, 2026 |
| Heavy | NJ20260052 | 2 | August 13, 2026 |
Specialty WDs also cover Essex County for narrow kinds of work, and don't stand in for the rates above: NJ20260003 (All dredging, except self propelled hopper dredging, on the Atlantic Coast and tributary w).
Questions about Essex County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Essex County?
$110.20 an hour: a $66.99 base wage plus $43.21 in fringe benefits, for the main classification (Electrician: Journeyman Wireman), under NJDOL county packages of October 19, 2026. Overtime and every electrician rate in Essex County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Essex County?
$75.82 an hour: a $40.97 base wage plus $34.85 in fringe benefits, for the main classification (Laborer - Building: Class A Journeyman), under NJDOL county packages of October 19, 2026. Overtime and every laborer rate in Essex 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 elevator constructor, the highest-paid trade in Essex County, the $135.39 total is a $86.43 base wage plus $48.96 in fringe benefits.
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in Essex County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: NJ20260031 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for building construction, NJ20260011 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction, NJ20260002 (modification 2, May 18, 2026) for highway construction and NJ20260052 (modification 2, August 13, 2026) for heavy construction. Where both Davis-Bacon and the New Jersey Act apply, "whichever rate is higher must be paid" (NJDOL FAQ).
Does Essex County share its rates with other counties?
For 37 of its 38 trades, yes: NJDOL sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Carpenter rates, for example, are the same in 21 counties (the Bergen County group). The other 1 are Essex County's own.