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Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates in Buncombe County, North Carolina
4 Davis-Bacon wage determinations on SAM.gov cover Buncombe County, with 100 rates for 17 trades; the newest modification is dated May 18, 2026. The rate depends on the kind of construction: building, residential, highway or heavy.
Buncombe County prevailing wage by trade, A to Z
| Trade | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brick TenderLABORER: MASON TENDER - BRICK · 2 rates | $13.17 | $0.00 | $13.17 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
Brick TenderLABORER: MASON TENDER - BRICK · 2 rates | $13.22 | $0.00 | $13.22 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
BricklayerBRICKLAYER · 2 rates | $19.00 | $0.00 | $19.00 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
BricklayerBRICKLAYER · 2 rates | $18.62 | $0.00 | $18.62 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
CarpenterCARPENTER · 4 rates | $20.69 | $6.13 | $26.82 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
CarpenterCARPENTER · 4 rates | $17.13 | $0.57 | $17.70 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
CarpenterCARPENTER · 4 rates | $13.48 | $0.00 | $13.48 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
CarpenterCARPENTER, INCLUDES FORM WORK · 4 rates | $13.98 | $0.69 | $14.67 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260079 Mod 1 |
Cement MasonCEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER · 3 rates | $18.79 | $0.00 | $18.79 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
Cement MasonCEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER · 3 rates | $15.80 | $0.00 | $15.80 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
Cement MasonCEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER · 3 rates | $14.40 | $0.00 | $14.40 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
ElectricianELECTRICIAN · 4 rates | $32.02 | $13.89 | $45.91 | Jun 1, 2025 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
ElectricianELECTRICIAN · 4 rates | $18.88 | $2.16 | $21.04 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
ElectricianELECTRICIAN (ELECTRICIAN) · 4 rates | $18.79 | $2.62 | $21.41 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
ElectricianELECTRICIAN · 4 rates | $15.41 | $3.13 | $18.54 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260079 Mod 1 |
Fence BuilderLABORER (GUARDRAIL/FENCE INSTALLER) | $13.09 | $0.00 | $13.09 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
IronworkerIRONWORKER · 4 rates | $29.75 | $18.00 | $47.75 | Jul 1, 2025 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
IronworkerIRONWORKER, STRUCTURAL · 4 rates | $16.89 | $0.00 | $16.89 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
IronworkerIRONWORKER · 4 rates | $12.48 | $0.00 | $12.48 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
LaborerLABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL · 16 rates | $13.56 | $2.69 | $16.25 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
LaborerLABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL · 16 rates | $9.81 | $0.00 | $9.81 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
LaborerLABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL · 16 rates | $11.90 | $0.00 | $11.90 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
LaborerLABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL · 16 rates | $11.30 | $1.53 | $12.83 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260079 Mod 1 |
Operating EngineerOPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · 43 rates | $16.50 | $0.08 | $16.58 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
Operating EngineerOPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · 43 rates | $15.71 | $0.00 | $15.71 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
Operating EngineerPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINE · 43 rates | $15.08 | $0.00 | $15.08 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
Operating EngineerOPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · 43 rates | $15.98 | $2.28 | $18.26 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260079 Mod 1 |
PainterPAINTER · 4 rates | $15.55 | $1.05 | $16.60 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
PainterPAINTER: SPRAY · 4 rates | $14.06 | $0.00 | $14.06 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
PainterPAINTER (BRIDGE) · 4 rates | $20.67 | $0.00 | $20.67 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
Plumber / PipefitterPLUMBER · 3 rates | $27.50 | $7.55 | $35.05 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
Plumber / PipefitterPLUMBER · 3 rates | $18.02 | $0.00 | $18.02 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
Refrigeration & A/C MechanicHVAC MECHANIC (HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION ONLY) | $17.25 | $1.67 | $18.92 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
RooferROOFER · 2 rates | $18.26 | $4.38 | $22.64 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
RooferROOFER · 2 rates | $15.00 | $0.00 | $15.00 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSHEET METAL WORKER · 2 rates | $19.67 | $13.27 | $32.94 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSHEET METAL WORKER · 2 rates | $16.75 | $0.00 | $16.75 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
Striping & Traffic Control WorkerPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (PAVEMENT MARKING EQUIPMENT) | $11.99 | $0.00 | $11.99 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK · 7 rates | $16.56 | $3.09 | $19.65 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260016 Mod 1 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK · 7 rates | $14.93 | $0.00 | $14.93 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260113 Mod 1 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)TRUCK DRIVER (GVWR OF 26,000 OR LESS) · 7 rates | $12.48 | $0.00 | $12.48 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)TRUCK DRIVER · 7 rates | $14.52 | $1.36 | $15.88 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260079 Mod 1 |
Telecommunications TechnicianELECTRICIAN (TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN) | $14.67 | $1.67 | $16.34 | May 18, 2026 | NC20260087 Mod 1 |
One rate per trade for the kind of construction picked above; open a trade for its other classifications and the WD's notes. DOL prints no total, so each total is base wage plus fringe benefits, added by us. The Department of Labor modifies these determinations on SAM.gov in weekly batches through the year; the latest North Carolina modification we hold is dated May 18, 2026. A contract keeps the wage determination in its bid documents. Modifications published before bid opening apply to it, though one published less than 10 days before can be left out if the agency finds there isn't time to tell bidders (29 CFR 1.6(c)). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). North Carolina has no state prevailing wage law (DOL state table).
Which trades pay the most in Buncombe County?
Ironworker, at $47.75 an hour. Each trade's main rate, as its page leads with it, highest first, split into the base wage and the fringe benefits DOL lists, on one scale.
- Ironworker$47.75
- Electrician$45.91
- Plumber / Pipefitter$35.05
- Sheet Metal Worker$32.94
- Carpenter$26.82
- Roofer$22.64
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$19.65
- Bricklayer$19.00
- Refrigeration Mechanic$18.92
- Cement Mason$18.79
- Painter$16.60
- Operating Engineer$16.58
- Telecom Technician$16.34
- Laborer$16.25
- Brick Tender$13.17
- Fence Builder$13.09
- Striping & Traffic Control$11.99
Which wage determinations cover Buncombe County?
The WD that applies depends on the kind of construction. Every rate on this site names its WD and modification.
| Construction | Wage determination | Modification | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | NC20260016 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Residential | NC20260113 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | NC20260087 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Heavy | NC20260079 Excludes Dredging | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
Specialty WDs also cover Buncombe County for narrow kinds of work, and don't stand in for the rates above: NC20260019 (Dredging).
Questions about Buncombe County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Buncombe County?
$45.91 an hour: a $32.02 base wage plus $13.89 in fringe benefits, for the main classification, under wage determination NC20260016, modification 1. Overtime and every electrician rate in Buncombe County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Buncombe County?
$16.25 an hour: a $13.56 base wage plus $2.69 in fringe benefits, for the main classification (LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL), under wage determination NC20260016, modification 1. Overtime and every laborer rate in Buncombe 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 ironworker, the highest-paid trade in Buncombe County, the $47.75 total is a $29.75 base wage plus $18.00 in fringe benefits.
Which Davis-Bacon wage determination covers Buncombe County?
It depends on the kind of construction: NC20260016 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for building construction, NC20260113 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction, NC20260087 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for highway construction and NC20260079 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for heavy construction. Your contract names the one that applies.
Does Buncombe County share its rates with other counties?
For 17 of its 17 trades, yes: DOL sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Electrician rates, for example, are the same in 4 counties (the Buncombe County group).