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Prevailing wage rates in Taos County, New Mexico
DWS's 11.1.2.20 NMAC rates for decisions issued from July 1, 2026 sets 213 prevailing wage rates for 24 trades on public works in Taos County. Each trade's main rate runs from $24.98 an hour (teamster) to $94.16 (elevator constructor), base wage plus fringe benefits.
Taos County prevailing wage by trade, A to Z
| Trade | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BoilermakerBoilermaker/blacksmith · 3 rates | $35.88 | $32.28 | $68.16 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
BricklayerBricklayer/block layer/stonemason · 4 rates | $33.41 | $12.04 | $45.45 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
CarpenterCarpenter/lather · 4 rates | $32.12 | $14.28 | $46.40 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Carpet & Soft Floor LayerSoft floor layer · 4 rates | $21.52 | $9.40 | $30.92 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Cement MasonCement mason · 4 rates | $26.26 | $11.61 | $37.87 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Drywall FinisherDrywall Finisher/Taper · 4 rates | $31.60 | $9.58 | $41.18 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Electrical Utility LinemanElectricians – outside classifications: Zone 1 – Ground man · 45 rates | $28.54 | $13.36 | $41.90 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
ElectricianElectricians – inside classifications: Zone 1 – Wireman/low voltage technician · 24 rates | $42.30 | $13.42 | $55.72 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Elevator ConstructorElevator constructor · 4 rates | $53.27 | $40.89 | $94.16 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
GlazierGlazier/Fabricator · 4 rates | $22.75 | $7.70 | $30.45 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker)Asbestos workers/heat & frost insulators · 3 rates | $39.23 | $12.16 | $51.39 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
IronworkerIronworker – Ironworker journeyman · 8 rates | $29.45 | $19.51 | $48.96 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
LaborerLaborers – Group I – Unskilled · 16 rates | $22.37 | $8.48 | $30.85 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
MillwrightMillwright/pile driver · 2 rates | $51.77 | $22.13 | $73.90 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Operating EngineerOperators – Group I · 34 rates | $26.61 | $8.22 | $34.83 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
PainterPainter · 8 rates | $21.00 | $5.75 | $26.75 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
PlastererPlasterer · 2 rates | $27.16 | $9.59 | $36.75 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Plumber / PipefitterPlumber/pipefitter · 6 rates | $39.92 | $16.85 | $56.77 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
RooferRoofer – Roofer journeyman · 8 rates | $31.20 | $9.36 | $40.56 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSheet metal worker – Zone 1 · 5 rates | $40.74 | $19.29 | $60.03 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)Truck drivers – Group VIII · 14 rates | $16.71 | $8.27 | $24.98 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Tile FinisherTile setter finisher · 2 rates | $16.53 | $8.81 | $25.34 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Tile SetterTile setter · 2 rates | $24.46 | $8.81 | $33.27 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
Tunnel WorkerLaborers – Underground – Group I · 3 rates | $22.87 | $7.12 | $29.99 | Jul 1, 2026 | NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01 |
One main rate per trade; open a trade for its other classifications, dated steps and DWS's notes. 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.
Which trades pay the most in Taos County?
Elevator constructor, at $94.16 an hour. Each trade's main rate, as its page leads with it, highest first, split into the base wage and the fringe DWS lists, on one scale.
- 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
- Bricklayer$45.45
- Utility Lineman$41.90
- Drywall Finisher$41.18
- Roofer$40.56
- Cement Mason$37.87
- Plasterer$36.75
- 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
Which Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Taos 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 | NM20260031 | 2 | May 18, 2026 |
| Residential | NM20260004 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | NM20260037 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Heavy | NM20260009 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
Questions about Taos County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Taos 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 Taos County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Taos 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 Taos 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 Taos County, the $94.16 total is a $53.27 base wage plus $40.89 in fringe.
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in Taos County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: NM20260031 (modification 2, May 18, 2026) for building construction, NM20260004 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction, NM20260037 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for highway construction and NM20260009 (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 Taos 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).