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Prevailing wage rates in Lea County, New Mexico
DWS's 11.1.2.20 NMAC rates for decisions issued from July 1, 2026 sets 213 rates across 24 trades for public works in Lea County. Of each trade's main rate, elevator constructor is the highest at $94.16 an hour and teamster the lowest at $24.98, base + fringe.
11.1.2.20 NMAC rates for decisions issued from July 1, 2026. Each project is governed by one wage rate decision "which shall remain effective for the duration of the project" (11.1.2.14 NMAC). Checked against dws.state.nm.us on October 25, 2026.
These rates come from the rule. The DWS wage rate decision issued for the project is what binds.
Lea County rates by trade, highest first
Each trade's main rate, highest first, split into the base wage and the fringe DWS lists. All bars share one scale. The table below lists the same rates A to Z with classifications.
- Elevator Constructor$94.16
- Millwright$73.90
- Boilermaker$68.16
- Sheet Metal Worker$60.03
- Plumber / Pipefitter$56.77
- Electrician$55.72
- Heat & Frost Insulator$51.39
- Ironworker$48.96
- Carpenter$46.40
- Utility Lineman$41.90
- Drywall Finisher$41.18
- Roofer$40.56
- Cement Mason$37.87
- Plasterer$36.75
- Bricklayer$35.40
- Operating Engineer$34.83
- Tile Setter$33.27
- Soft Floor Layer$30.92
- Laborer$30.85
- Glazier$30.45
- Tunnel Worker$29.99
- Painter$26.75
- Tile Finisher$25.34
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$24.98
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 DWS's notes. Click a column heading to sort.
| Trade | Main classification | Base + fringe | Base | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boilermaker · Bernalillo County group | Boilermaker/blacksmith | $68.16 | $35.88 | 3 |
| Bricklayer · Dona Ana County group | Bricklayer/block layer/stonemason: Dona Ana, Otero, Eddy, and Lea | $35.40 | $26.42 | 4 |
| Carpenter · Bernalillo County group | Carpenter/lather | $46.40 | $32.12 | 4 |
| Carpet & Soft Floor Layer · Bernalillo County group | Soft floor layer | $30.92 | $21.52 | 4 |
| Cement Mason · Bernalillo County group | Cement mason | $37.87 | $26.26 | 4 |
| Drywall Finisher · Bernalillo County group | Drywall Finisher/Taper | $41.18 | $31.60 | 4 |
| Electrical Utility Lineman · Bernalillo County group | Electricians – outside classifications: Zone 1 – Ground man | $41.90 | $28.54 | 45 |
| Electrician · Bernalillo County group | Electricians – inside classifications: Zone 1 – Wireman/low voltage technician | $55.72 | $42.30 | 24 |
| Elevator Constructor · Bernalillo County group | Elevator constructor | $94.16 | $53.27 | 4 |
| Glazier · Bernalillo County group | Glazier/Fabricator | $30.45 | $22.75 | 4 |
| Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker) · Bernalillo County group | Asbestos workers/heat & frost insulators | $51.39 | $39.23 | 3 |
| Ironworker · Bernalillo County group | Ironworker – Ironworker journeyman | $48.96 | $29.45 | 8 |
| Laborer · Bernalillo County group | Laborers – Group I – Unskilled | $30.85 | $22.37 | 16 |
| Millwright · Bernalillo County group | Millwright/pile driver | $73.90 | $51.77 | 2 |
| Operating Engineer · Bernalillo County group | Operators – Group I | $34.83 | $26.61 | 34 |
| Painter · Bernalillo County group | Painter | $26.75 | $21.00 | 8 |
| Plasterer · Bernalillo County group | Plasterer | $36.75 | $27.16 | 2 |
| Plumber / Pipefitter · Bernalillo County group | Plumber/pipefitter | $56.77 | $39.92 | 6 |
| Roofer · Bernalillo County group | Roofer – Roofer journeyman | $40.56 | $31.20 | 8 |
| Sheet Metal Worker · Bernalillo County group | Sheet metal worker – Zone 1 | $60.03 | $40.74 | 5 |
| Teamster (Truck Driver) · Bernalillo County group | Truck drivers – Group VIII | $24.98 | $16.71 | 14 |
| Tile Finisher · Bernalillo County group | Tile setter finisher | $25.34 | $16.53 | 2 |
| Tile Setter · Bernalillo County group | Tile setter | $33.27 | $24.46 | 2 |
| Tunnel Worker · Bernalillo County group | Laborers – Underground – Group I | $29.99 | $22.87 | 3 |
Davis-Bacon wage determinations for Lea County
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's rates. When a contract requires both the state rate and the Davis-Bacon rate, paying the higher of the two meets both. The contract documents say which apply. Each trade's page shows its federal rate next to DWS's.
| Construction | Wage determination | Modification | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | NM20260020 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Residential | NM20260005 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | NM20260036 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Heavy | NM20260012 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
Questions about Lea County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Lea County?
$55.72 an hour: a $42.30 base wage plus $13.42 in fringe, for the main classification, under 11.1.2.20 NMAC rates for decisions issued from July 1, 2026. Overtime and every electrician rate in Lea County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Lea County?
$30.85 an hour: a $22.37 base wage plus $8.48 in fringe, for the main classification (Laborers – Group I – Unskilled), under 11.1.2.20 NMAC rates for decisions issued from July 1, 2026. Overtime and every laborer rate in Lea County.
Does the prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. The rate is a base wage plus fringe, and the employer owes both for every hour. For elevator constructor, the highest-paid trade in Lea County, the $94.16 total is a $53.27 base wage plus $40.89 in fringe.
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in Lea County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: NM20260020 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for building construction, NM20260005 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction, NM20260036 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for highway construction and NM20260012 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for heavy construction. When a contract requires both the state rate and the Davis-Bacon rate, paying the higher of the two meets both. The contract documents say which apply.
Does Lea County share its rates with other counties?
For 24 of its 24 trades, yes: DWS sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Electrician rates, for example, are the same in 28 counties (the Bernalillo County group).