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New Jersey · Tunnel Worker · 21 counties
Tunnel Worker prevailing wage, Bergen County group, New Jersey (21 counties)
NJDOL sets the same tunnel worker rates, row for row, in 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Every figure on this page applies in each of them.
$112.07an hour, base wage + fringe benefits · Blaster
$71.44 base wage + $40.63 fringe benefits · Statewide rate
On New Jersey public works in each of these 21 counties, a tunnel worker working as blaster must be paid at least $112.07 an hour: a $71.44 base wage plus $40.63 in fringe benefits.
NJDOL county packages of October 19, 2026; this rate, effective March 1, 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 lists 18 tunnel worker rates for each of these counties, from $107.13 to $126.36 an hour. See all of them.
NJDOL's posted rates are informational. The public body obtains the project's official determination, and it goes in the contract.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $71.44 + $40.63
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. NJDOL prints the fringe benefits as one hourly figure, not itemized; it can go to health, pension, vacation and training plans, or be paid as cash where the state allows.
| Base wage (taxable) | $71.44 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $40.63 |
| Total hourly rate, as printed | $112.07 |
When does this rate change?
- The rates in effect on the date the contract is awarded apply, plus every pre-determined increase listed then, from its date. A later posting doesn't change an awarded job (NJDOL FAQ). Rates marked expired "remain in effect" until new ones are posted.
- NJDOL reissues a county's package whenever a union agreement changes. This page uses the packages of October 19, 2026 (NJDOL current rates).
Every tunnel worker rate in the Bergen County group
As NJDOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: BlasterStatewide rate$126.36
- HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Walking Boss & SuperintendentStatewide rate$123.81
- HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Heading Foreman, Shaft Foreman, Rod Foreman, Electrical Foreman, Rigging ForemanStatewide rate$123.36
- HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Iron Foreman, Caulking Foreman, Form Foreman, Cement Finishing Foreman, Concrete Foreman, Track Foreman, Clean-up Foreman, Grout ForemanStatewide rate$122.61
- HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Top Labor ForemanStatewide rate$121.78
- HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Skilled Men (including Caulker, Powder Carrier, all other skilled men) Skilled Men (including Miner, Drill Runner, Iron Man, Conveyor Man, Maintenance Man, Safety Miner, Rigger, Block Layer, Cement Finisher, Rod Man)Statewide rate$121.26
- HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Semi-Skilled Men (including Bell or Signal Man top or bottom, Form Worker & Mover, Concrete Worker, Shaft Man, Tunnel Laborer, Caulker's Helper, all other semi-skilled) Semi-Skilled Men (including Miner's Helper, Chuck Tender, Track Man, Nipper, Brake Man, Derail Man, Cable Man, Hose Man, Gravel Man, Form Man)Statewide rate$121.03
- HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: All others (including Powder Watchman, Change House Attendant, Top Laborer, Job Steward)Statewide rate$120.43
- FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: BlasterStatewide rate$112.07
- FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Walking Boss & SuperintendentStatewide rate$109.94
- FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Heading Foreman, Shaft Foreman, Rod Foreman, Electrician Foreman, Rigging ForemanStatewide rate$109.57
- FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Iron Foreman, Caulking Foreman, Form Foreman, Cement Finishing Foreman, Concrete Foreman, Track Foreman, Cleanup Foreman, Grout ForemanStatewide rate$108.94
- FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Top Labor ForemanStatewide rate$108.26
- FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Skilled Men (including Caulker, Powder Carrier, all other skilled men)Statewide rate$107.82
- FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Skilled Men (including Miner, Drill Runner, Iron Man, Conveyor Man, Manitenance Man, Safety Miner, Rigger, Block Layer, Cement Finisher, Tod Man)Statewide rate$107.82
- FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Semi-Skilled Men (including Bell or Signal Man Top or Bottom, Form Worker & Mover, Concrete Worker, Shaft Man, Tunnel Laborer, Caulker's Helper, all other semi-skilled)Statewide rate$107.63
- FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Semi-Skilled Men (including Miner's Helper, Chuck Tender, Track Man, Nipper, Brake Man, Derail Man, Cable Man, Hose Man, Gravel Man, Form Man)Statewide rate$107.63
- FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: All Others (including Powder Watchman, Change House Attendant, Top Laborer)Statewide rate$107.13
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Walking Boss & SuperintendentStatewide rate | $69.31 | $40.63 | $109.94 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Heading Foreman, Shaft Foreman, Rod Foreman, Electrician Foreman, Rigging ForemanStatewide rate | $68.94 | $40.63 | $109.57 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Iron Foreman, Caulking Foreman, Form Foreman, Cement Finishing Foreman, Concrete Foreman, Track Foreman, Cleanup Foreman, Grout ForemanStatewide rate | $68.31 | $40.63 | $108.94 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: BlasterStatewide rate | $71.44 | $40.63 | $112.07 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Top Labor ForemanStatewide rate | $67.63 | $40.63 | $108.26 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Skilled Men (including Caulker, Powder Carrier, all other skilled men)Statewide rate | $67.19 | $40.63 | $107.82 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Skilled Men (including Miner, Drill Runner, Iron Man, Conveyor Man, Manitenance Man, Safety Miner, Rigger, Block Layer, Cement Finisher, Tod Man)Statewide rate | $67.19 | $40.63 | $107.82 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Semi-Skilled Men (including Bell or Signal Man Top or Bottom, Form Worker & Mover, Concrete Worker, Shaft Man, Tunnel Laborer, Caulker's Helper, all other semi-skilled)Statewide rate | $67.00 | $40.63 | $107.63 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Semi-Skilled Men (including Miner's Helper, Chuck Tender, Track Man, Nipper, Brake Man, Derail Man, Cable Man, Hose Man, Gravel Man, Form Man)Statewide rate | $67.00 | $40.63 | $107.63 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: All Others (including Powder Watchman, Change House Attendant, Top Laborer)Statewide rate | $66.50 | $40.63 | $107.13 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Walking Boss & SuperintendentStatewide rate | $83.18 | $40.63 | $123.81 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Heading Foreman, Shaft Foreman, Rod Foreman, Electrical Foreman, Rigging ForemanStatewide rate | $82.73 | $40.63 | $123.36 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Iron Foreman, Caulking Foreman, Form Foreman, Cement Finishing Foreman, Concrete Foreman, Track Foreman, Clean-up Foreman, Grout ForemanStatewide rate | $81.98 | $40.63 | $122.61 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: BlasterStatewide rate | $85.73 | $40.63 | $126.36 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Top Labor ForemanStatewide rate | $81.15 | $40.63 | $121.78 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Skilled Men (including Caulker, Powder Carrier, all other skilled men) Skilled Men (including Miner, Drill Runner, Iron Man, Conveyor Man, Maintenance Man, Safety Miner, Rigger, Block Layer, Cement Finisher, Rod Man)Statewide rate | $80.63 | $40.63 | $121.26 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: Semi-Skilled Men (including Bell or Signal Man top or bottom, Form Worker & Mover, Concrete Worker, Shaft Man, Tunnel Laborer, Caulker's Helper, all other semi-skilled) Semi-Skilled Men (including Miner's Helper, Chuck Tender, Track Man, Nipper, Brake Man, Derail Man, Cable Man, Hose Man, Gravel Man, Form Man)Statewide rate | $80.40 | $40.63 | $121.03 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| HEAVY & GENERAL LABORERS- NEW TRANS HUDSON TUNNELS: All others (including Powder Watchman, Change House Attendant, Top Laborer, Job Steward)Statewide rate | $79.80 | $40.63 | $120.43 | Mar 1, 2026 |
How the Bergen County group compares
The main tunnel worker rate in every county that has one, and how the pay splits here and nearby. All bars use the same scale.
Every county in New Jersey
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Bergen County groupbase $71.44$112.07
- Passaic Countybase $71.44$112.07
- Essex Countybase $71.44$112.07
- Hudson Countybase $71.44$112.07
Which county is in which tunnel worker group
Every New Jersey county with a tunnel worker rate. Counties NJDOL treats alike share one page; the rest have their own.
| Counties | Main classification | Base wage | Total rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bergen County group, 21 localities: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren | FREE AIR TUNNEL JOBS: Blaster | $71.44 | $112.07 |
1 group of counties with identical NJDOL rates, and 0 counties with rates of their own.
New Jersey tunnel worker prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from NJDOL on this rate
- NJDOL's current prevailing wage rates
- These are journeyman rates. Apprentices registered with the U.S. Office of Apprenticeship get the percentage in the craft's apprentice schedule, with full benefits unless noted.
Every trade's rates, county by county: Atlantic · Bergen · Burlington · Camden · Cape May · Cumberland · Essex · Gloucester · Hudson · Hunterdon · Mercer · Middlesex · Monmouth · Morris · Ocean · Passaic · Salem · Somerset · Sussex · Union · Warren
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your wage to what your employer pays into benefits for you, or pays you in cash each payday, and compare it with the total. Rates for every craft, including future increases, must be posted on site, and certified payroll goes to NJDOL within 10 days of payday (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.29). NJDOL Public Contracts: (609) 292-2259.
Source
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), NJDOL county packages of October 19, 2026. For the row this page leads with:
- Atlantic: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Bergen: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Burlington: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Camden: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Cape May: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Cumberland: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Essex: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Gloucester: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Hudson: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Hunterdon: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Mercer: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Middlesex: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Monmouth: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Morris: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Ocean: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Passaic: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Salem: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Somerset: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Sussex: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Union: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
- Warren: NJDOL-20261019-statewide, page 91
We read every county package of October 19, 2026, including its statewide pages, and check every number with a second, separate reader. Wage plus benefit equals NJDOL's printed total on every step that prints both. How we check · Download every New Jersey rate as CSV · Report an error