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Prevailing wage rates in Chester County, Pennsylvania
L&I's PPWS county schedules from each county's newest determination (Oct 25, 2026) sets 115 prevailing wage rates for 37 trades on public works in Chester County. Each trade's main rate runs from $42.55 an hour (window film installer) to $121.72 (elevator constructor), base wage plus fringe benefits.
Chester County prevailing wage by trade, A to Z
| Trade | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BoilermakerBoilermakers | $45.89 | $33.73 | $79.62 | Mar 1, 2018 | 26-09266 |
BricklayerBricklayer · 3 rates | $51.15 | $34.92 | $86.07 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
CarpenterCarpenters · 2 rates | $48.55 | $30.39 | $78.94 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Carpet & Soft Floor LayerFloor Coverer | $52.84 | $32.86 | $85.70 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Cement MasonCement Masons · 3 rates | $48.70 | $32.46 | $81.16 | May 1, 2025 | 26-09266 |
Diver & TenderDockbuilder/Pile Driver Diver · 4 rates | $66.54 | $41.74 | $108.28 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Drywall FinisherDrywall Finisher | $41.10 | $32.99 | $74.09 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Drywall Installer / LatherInterior Finish | $34.60 | $25.80 | $60.40 | May 1, 2023 | 26-09266 |
Electrical Utility LinemanElectric Lineman | $65.10 | $34.45 | $99.55 | Jun 2, 2025 | 26-09266 |
ElectricianElectricians | $48.02 | $29.46 | $77.48 | Aug 31, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Elevator ConstructorElevator Constructor | $74.86 | $46.86 | $121.72 | Jan 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Field SurveyorCarpenter - Chief of Party (Surveying & Layout) · 6 rates | $55.83 | $30.39 | $86.22 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
FlaggerLaborers Utility (PGW ONLY) (Flagperson) | $35.52 | $19.83 | $55.35 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
GlazierGlazier | $51.30 | $39.37 | $90.67 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker)Asbestos & Insulation Workers | $64.51 | $50.26 | $114.77 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
IronworkerIron Workers (Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, Precast) · 6 rates | $53.20 | $45.01 | $98.21 | Jul 1, 2024 | 26-09266 |
LaborerLaborers (Class 01 - See notes) · 21 rates | $37.25 | $26.10 | $63.35 | May 1, 2025 | 26-09266 |
Landscape & Irrigation LaborerLandscape Laborer · 2 rates | $32.15 | $24.30 | $56.45 | May 1, 2025 | 26-09266 |
Marble FinisherMarble Finisher | $42.07 | $31.85 | $73.92 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Marble MasonMarble Mason · 2 rates | $47.20 | $31.95 | $79.15 | May 1, 2023 | 26-09266 |
MillwrightMillwright · 2 rates | $60.20 | $35.81 | $96.01 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Operating EngineerOperators (Building, Class 01 - See Notes) · 20 rates | $55.67 | $35.34 | $91.01 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
PainterPainters Class 1 (see notes) · 4 rates | $45.71 | $35.22 | $80.93 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Pile DriverDockbuilder, Pile Drivers · 2 rates | $56.98 | $37.99 | $94.97 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
PlastererPlasterers | $39.88 | $33.08 | $72.96 | May 1, 2024 | 26-09266 |
Plumber / Pipefitterplumber · 5 rates | $73.73 | $40.36 | $114.09 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
RooferRoofers (Composition) · 3 rates | $47.53 | $35.22 | $82.75 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSheet Metal Workers | $65.06 | $54.48 | $119.54 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Sign InstallerSign Makers and Hangars | $36.38 | $25.01 | $61.39 | Jul 15, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Striping & Traffic Control WorkerPainters - Line Stripping · 2 rates | $45.12 | $29.41 | $74.53 | Dec 1, 2025 | 26-09266 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)Truckdriver class 1(see notes) · 6 rates | $38.57 | $23.87 | $62.44 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Terrazzo FinisherTerrazzo Finisher · 2 rates | $47.78 | $29.61 | $77.39 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Terrazzo WorkerTerrazzo Mechanics | $53.36 | $32.61 | $85.97 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Tile FinisherTile Finisher | $42.07 | $31.85 | $73.92 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Tile SetterTile Setter | $53.36 | $32.61 | $85.97 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
TuckpointerPointers, Caulkers, Cleaners · 2 rates | $53.35 | $32.30 | $85.65 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09266 |
Window Film & Tinting InstallerWindow Film / Tint Installer | $27.42 | $15.13 | $42.55 | Jun 1, 2025 | 26-09266 |
One main rate per trade; open a trade for its other classifications, dated steps and L&I's notes. PPWS county schedules from each county's newest determination (Oct 25, 2026). Rates are set per project: the public body gets a determination before bidding, and once the contract is signed its rates "shall not be altered" while it is in force (Act § 4). A determination must be re-requested if the contract isn't awarded within 120 days (34 Pa. Code 9.104(a)). Checked against dliweb.pa.gov on October 25, 2026.
Pennsylvania publishes no county rate schedule. These are the rates printed in each county's newest project determination; the binding rates for a job are the ones in that job's own determination.
Which trades pay the most in Chester County?
Elevator constructor, at $121.72 an hour. Each trade's main rate, as its page leads with it, highest first, split into the base wage and the fringe benefits L&I lists, on one scale.
- Elevator Constructor$121.72
- Sheet Metal Worker$119.54
- Heat & Frost Insulator$114.77
- Plumber / Pipefitter$114.09
- Diver & Tender$108.28
- Utility Lineman$99.55
- Ironworker$98.21
- Millwright$96.01
- Pile Driver$94.97
- Operating Engineer$91.01
- Glazier$90.67
- Field Surveyor$86.22
- Bricklayer$86.07
- Terrazzo Worker$85.97
- Tile Setter$85.97
- Soft Floor Layer$85.70
- Tuckpointer$85.65
- Roofer$82.75
- Cement Mason$81.16
- Painter$80.93
- Boilermaker$79.62
- Marble Mason$79.15
- Carpenter$78.94
- Electrician$77.48
- Terrazzo Finisher$77.39
- Striping & Traffic Control$74.53
- Drywall Finisher$74.09
- Marble Finisher$73.92
- Tile Finisher$73.92
- Plasterer$72.96
- Laborer$63.35
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$62.44
- Sign Installer$61.39
- Drywall Installer / Lather$60.40
- Landscape Laborer$56.45
- Flagger$55.35
- Window Film Installer$42.55
Which Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Chester County?
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's rates. Pennsylvania's Act doesn't cover projects where Davis-Bacon applies, so a job uses one schedule or the other (L&I FAQ). Each trade's page shows its federal rate next to L&I's.
| Construction | Wage determination | Modification | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | PA20260083 | 3 | October 1, 2026 |
| Residential | PA20260118 | 2 | September 24, 2026 |
| Highway | PA20260004 Heavy Construction Highway Construction | 8 | October 1, 2026 |
| Heavy | PA20260004 Heavy Construction Highway Construction | 8 | October 1, 2026 |
Specialty WDs also cover Chester County for narrow kinds of work, and don't stand in for the rates above: PA20260008 (TV/Grout Sewer/Water Pipelines); PA20260028 (All dredging, except self-propelled hopper dredges, on the Atlantic Coast to the southerly).
Questions about Chester County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Chester County?
$77.48 an hour: a $48.02 base wage plus $29.46 in fringe benefits, for the main classification (Electricians), under PPWS county schedules from each county's newest determination (Oct 25, 2026). Overtime and every electrician rate in Chester County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Chester County?
$63.35 an hour: a $37.25 base wage plus $26.10 in fringe benefits, for the main classification, under PPWS county schedules from each county's newest determination (Oct 25, 2026). Overtime and every laborer rate in Chester 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 elevator constructor, the highest-paid trade in Chester County, the $121.72 total is a $74.86 base wage plus $46.86 in fringe benefits.
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in Chester County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: PA20260083 (modification 3, October 1, 2026) for building construction, PA20260118 (modification 2, September 24, 2026) for residential construction and PA20260004 (modification 8, October 1, 2026) for highway and heavy construction. Pennsylvania's Act doesn't cover projects where Davis-Bacon applies, so a job uses one schedule or the other (L&I FAQ).
Does Chester County share its rates with other counties?
For 4 of its 37 trades, yes: L&I sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Commercial diver rates, for example, are the same in 2 counties (the Lancaster County group). The other 33 are Chester County's own.