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Prevailing wage rates in Erie County, Pennsylvania
L&I's PPWS county schedules from each county's newest determination (Oct 25, 2026) sets 80 prevailing wage rates for 30 trades on public works in Erie County. Each trade's main rate runs from $27.63 an hour (window film installer) to $104.60 (elevator constructor), base wage plus fringe benefits.
Erie County prevailing wage by trade, A to Z
| Trade | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BricklayerBricklayer · 2 rates | $37.20 | $25.46 | $62.66 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
CarpenterCarpenter · 3 rates | $42.60 | $22.84 | $65.44 | Jan 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Cement MasonCement Masons · 3 rates | $31.89 | $17.61 | $49.50 | May 1, 2022 | 26-09304 |
Diver & TenderPile Driver Divers (Building, Heavy, Highway) · 2 rates | $64.70 | $23.47 | $88.17 | Jan 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Drywall FinisherDrywall Finisher | $29.14 | $26.95 | $56.09 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Electrical Utility LinemanElectric Lineman | $69.90 | $34.20 | $104.10 | Aug 30, 2026 | 26-09304 |
ElectricianElectricians & Telecommunications Installation Technician | $41.69 | $31.38 | $73.07 | Jun 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Elevator ConstructorElevator Constructor | $63.71 | $40.89 | $104.60 | Jan 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Field SurveyorOperators (Class 04 - Chief of Party (Surveying and Layout)) · 3 rates | $31.24 | $22.87 | $54.11 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
GlazierGlazier | $23.52 | $24.33 | $47.85 | Jun 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker)Asbestos & Insulation Workers | $43.06 | $30.31 | $73.37 | Aug 1, 2025 | 26-09304 |
IronworkerIron Workers · 2 rates | $37.72 | $35.23 | $72.95 | Jun 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
LaborerLaborers (Class 01 - See notes) · 10 rates | $28.59 | $20.77 | $49.36 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Landscape & Irrigation LaborerLandscape Laborer · 3 rates | $26.37 | $19.03 | $45.40 | Jan 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
MillwrightMillwright · 2 rates | $41.68 | $20.32 | $62.00 | Jun 1, 2020 | 26-09304 |
Operating EngineerOperators Class 1-A · 10 rates | $44.96 | $24.66 | $69.62 | Jan 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
PainterPainters (Brush and Roller)(Commercial) · 12 rates | $28.89 | $26.95 | $55.84 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Pile DriverPiledrivers · 4 rates | $43.13 | $23.47 | $66.60 | Jan 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
PlastererPlasterers | $34.59 | $22.59 | $57.18 | Jun 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Plumber / Pipefitterplumber · 4 rates | $53.68 | $28.47 | $82.15 | Jun 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
RooferRoofers | $36.00 | $21.26 | $57.26 | May 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSheet Metal Workers | $46.75 | $36.61 | $83.36 | Jul 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Sign InstallerSign Makers and Hangars | $36.38 | $25.01 | $61.39 | Jul 15, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)Truckdriver class 1(see notes) · 4 rates | $37.93 | $23.71 | $61.64 | Jan 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Terrazzo FinisherTerrazzo Finisher | $43.82 | $19.94 | $63.76 | Jun 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Terrazzo WorkerTerrazzo Mechanics | $43.22 | $22.19 | $65.41 | Jun 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Tile FinisherTile Finisher | $34.82 | $18.98 | $53.80 | Jun 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Tile SetterTile Setter | $41.66 | $23.49 | $65.15 | Jun 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
TuckpointerPointers, Caulkers, Cleaners | $42.20 | $22.80 | $65.00 | Jun 1, 2026 | 26-09304 |
Window Film & Tinting InstallerWindow Film / Tint Installer | $25.00 | $2.63 | $27.63 | Oct 1, 2019 | 26-09304 |
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 Erie County?
Elevator constructor, at $104.60 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$104.60
- Utility Lineman$104.10
- Diver & Tender$88.17
- Sheet Metal Worker$83.36
- Plumber / Pipefitter$82.15
- Heat & Frost Insulator$73.37
- Electrician$73.07
- Ironworker$72.95
- Operating Engineer$69.62
- Pile Driver$66.60
- Carpenter$65.44
- Terrazzo Worker$65.41
- Tile Setter$65.15
- Tuckpointer$65.00
- Terrazzo Finisher$63.76
- Bricklayer$62.66
- Millwright$62.00
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$61.64
- Sign Installer$61.39
- Roofer$57.26
- Plasterer$57.18
- Drywall Finisher$56.09
- Painter$55.84
- Field Surveyor$54.11
- Tile Finisher$53.80
- Cement Mason$49.50
- Laborer$49.36
- Glazier$47.85
- Landscape Laborer$45.40
- Window Film Installer$27.63
Which Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Erie 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 | PA20260088 | 7 | September 24, 2026 |
| Residential | PA20260011 | 2 | August 20, 2026 |
| Highway | PA20260002 Excluding Sewer Grouting Projects and Excluding Sewage and Water Treatment Plant Projects | 6 | September 17, 2026 |
| Heavy | PA20260002 Excluding Sewer Grouting Projects and Excluding Sewage and Water Treatment Plant Projects | 6 | September 17, 2026 |
Specialty WDs also cover Erie County for narrow kinds of work, and don't stand in for the rates above: PA20260008 (TV/Grout Sewer/Water Pipelines); PA20260020 (Sewage and Water Treatment Plant Projects); PA20260028 (All dredging, except self-propelled hopper dredges, on the Atlantic Coast to the southerly).
Questions about Erie County rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Erie County?
$73.07 an hour: a $41.69 base wage plus $31.38 in fringe benefits, for the main classification, under PPWS county schedules from each county's newest determination (Oct 25, 2026). Overtime and every electrician rate in Erie County.
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Erie County?
$49.36 an hour: a $28.59 base wage plus $20.77 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 Erie 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 Erie County, the $104.60 total is a $63.71 base wage plus $40.89 in fringe benefits.
Do Davis-Bacon rates apply in Erie County?
On federally funded or assisted construction, yes: PA20260088 (modification 7, September 24, 2026) for building construction, PA20260011 (modification 2, August 20, 2026) for residential construction and PA20260002 (modification 6, September 17, 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 Erie County share its rates with other counties?
For 17 of its 30 trades, yes: L&I sets the same rates, row for row, in other counties too. Insulator rates, for example, are the same in 2 counties (the Erie County group). The other 13 are Erie County's own.