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Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates in Burke County, North Carolina
4 Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Burke County for building, residential, highway and heavy construction, with 102 rates across 18 trades. Of each trade's main rate, ironworker is the highest at $47.75 an hour and striping and traffic control worker the lowest at $11.99, base plus fringe.
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).
Burke County rates by trade, highest first
Each trade's main rate, highest first, split into the base wage and the fringe benefits DOL lists. All bars share one scale. The table below lists the same rates A to Z with classifications.
- Ironworker$47.75
- Plumber / Pipefitter$47.44
- Sheet Metal Worker$47.25
- Carpenter$28.43
- Roofer$22.64
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$19.65
- Bricklayer$19.00
- Refrigeration Mechanic$18.92
- Cement Mason$18.79
- Drywall Installer / Lather$18.66
- Electrician$18.16
- Painter$16.60
- Operating Engineer$16.58
- Telecom Technician$16.34
- Brick Tender$13.17
- Fence Builder$13.09
- Laborer$12.63
- Striping & Traffic Control$11.99
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 DOL's notes. Click a column heading to sort.
| Trade | Main classification | Base + fringe | Base | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brick Tender · Burke County group | LABORER: MASON TENDER - BRICK | $13.17 | $13.17 | 2 |
| Bricklayer · Burke County group | BRICKLAYER | $19.00 | $19.00 | 2 |
| Carpenter · Burke County group | CARPENTER, EXCLUDES DRYWALL HANGING | $28.43 | $19.28 | 4 |
| Cement Mason · Burke County group | CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER | $18.79 | $18.79 | 3 |
| Drywall Installer / Lather · Burke County group | DRYWALL HANGER | $18.66 | $18.66 | 1 |
| Electrician · Burke County group | ELECTRICIAN | $18.16 | $18.16 | 4 |
| Fence Builder · Buncombe County group | LABORER (GUARDRAIL/FENCE INSTALLER) | $13.09 | $13.09 | 1 |
| Ironworker · Burke County group | IRONWORKER | $47.75 | $29.75 | 4 |
| Laborer · Burke County group | LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL | $12.63 | $12.63 | 16 |
| Operating Engineer · Burke County group | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.58 | $16.50 | 43 |
| Painter · Burke County group | PAINTER | $16.60 | $15.55 | 4 |
| Plumber / Pipefitter · Burke County group | PLUMBER | $47.44 | $33.96 | 3 |
| Refrigeration & A/C Mechanic · Catawba County group | HVAC MECHANIC (HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION ONLY) | $18.92 | $17.25 | 1 |
| Roofer · Burke County group | ROOFER | $22.64 | $18.26 | 2 |
| Sheet Metal Worker · Burke County group | SHEET METAL WORKER (HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION ONLY) | $47.25 | $30.74 | 3 |
| Striping & Traffic Control Worker · Buncombe County group | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (PAVEMENT MARKING EQUIPMENT) | $11.99 | $11.99 | 1 |
| Teamster (Truck Driver) · Burke County group | TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK | $19.65 | $16.56 | 7 |
| Telecommunications Technician · Buncombe County group | ELECTRICIAN (TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN) | $16.34 | $14.67 | 1 |
Wage determinations for Burke County
The WD that applies depends on the kind of construction. Every rate on this page names its WD and modification.
| Construction | Wage determination | Modification | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | NC20260014 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Residential | NC20260111 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | NC20260087 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Heavy | NC20260076 Excludes Dredging | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
Specialty WDs also cover Burke County for narrow kinds of work, and don't stand in for the rates above: NC20260019 (Dredging).
Questions about Burke County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Burke County?
$18.16 an hour: a $18.16 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, for the main classification, under wage determination NC20260014, modification 1. Overtime and every electrician rate in Burke County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Burke County?
$12.63 an hour: a $12.63 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, for the main classification (LABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL), under wage determination NC20260014, modification 1. Overtime and every laborer rate in Burke 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 Burke County, the $47.75 total is a $29.75 base wage plus $18.00 in fringe benefits.
Which Davis-Bacon wage determination covers Burke County?
It depends on the kind of construction: NC20260014 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for building construction, NC20260111 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction, NC20260087 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for highway construction and NC20260076 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for heavy construction. Your contract names the one that applies.
Does Burke County share its rates with other counties?
For 18 of its 18 trades, yes: DOL sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Electrician rates, for example, are the same in 3 counties (the Burke County group).