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Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates in Salem (independent city), Virginia
4 Davis-Bacon wage determinations on SAM.gov cover Salem (independent city), with 93 rates for 19 trades; the newest modification is dated October 15, 2026. The rate depends on the kind of construction: building, residential, highway or heavy.
Salem (independent city) prevailing wage by trade, A to Z
| Trade | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BoilermakerBOILERMAKER | $38.97 | $27.39 | $66.36 | Jan 1, 2025 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
Brick TenderLABORER: MASON TENDER - BRICK | $12.37 | $0.00 | $12.37 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
BricklayerBRICKLAYER · 2 rates | $23.87 | $6.81 | $30.68 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
BricklayerBRICKLAYER · 2 rates | $16.35 | $0.00 | $16.35 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
CarpenterCARPENTER · 4 rates | $13.49 | $1.10 | $14.59 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
CarpenterCARPENTER · 4 rates | $12.60 | $0.00 | $12.60 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
CarpenterCARPENTER, INCLUDES FORM WORK · 4 rates | $17.65 | $0.00 | $17.65 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260188 Mod 1 |
CarpenterCARPENTER · 4 rates | $22.74 | $7.82 | $30.56 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260208 Mod 3 |
Cement MasonCEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER · 3 rates | $16.84 | $0.00 | $16.84 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
Cement MasonCEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER · 3 rates | $19.94 | $0.00 | $19.94 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260188 Mod 1 |
Cement MasonCEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER · 3 rates | $22.72 | $5.49 | $28.21 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260208 Mod 3 |
ElectricianELECTRICIAN · 4 rates | $21.78 | $9.31 | $31.09 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
ElectricianELECTRICIAN · 4 rates | $16.34 | $0.00 | $16.34 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
ElectricianELECTRICIAN, INCLUDES TRAFFIC SIGNALIZATION · 4 rates | $36.85 | $14.13 | $50.98 | Jun 1, 2025 | VA20260188 Mod 1 |
ElectricianELECTRICIAN · 4 rates | $43.02 | $17.52 | $60.54 | Jan 1, 2026 | VA20260208 Mod 3 |
Insulator (Heat & Frost / Asbestos Worker)ASBESTOS WORKER/HEAT & FROST INSULATOR - MECHANICAL (DUCT, PIPE & MECHANICAL SYSTEM INSULATION) (ADDITIONAL FRINGE BENEFITS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PAID HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY, MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, LABOR DAY, VETERANS' DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY, THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS DAY PROVIDED THE EMPLOYEE WORKS THE REGULAR WORK DAY BEFORE AND AFTER THE PAID HOLIDAY.) | $40.77 | $20.17 | $60.94 | Oct 1, 2024 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
IronworkerIRONWORKER: ORNAMENTAL AND STRUCTURAL · 7 rates | $37.86 | $25.86 | $63.72 | Jun 1, 2024 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
IronworkerIRONWORKER, STRUCTURAL · 7 rates | $21.55 | $1.39 | $22.94 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
IronworkerIRONWORKER, STRUCTURAL · 7 rates | $27.38 | $0.00 | $27.38 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260188 Mod 1 |
IronworkerIRONWORKER · 7 rates | $28.73 | $20.10 | $48.83 | Jun 1, 2023 | VA20260208 Mod 3 |
LaborerLABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL, INCLUDING MASON TENDER - BRICK AND CEMENT, AND PIPELAYING · 11 rates | $15.15 | $1.58 | $16.73 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
LaborerLABORER: PIPELAYER · 11 rates | $14.88 | $1.51 | $16.39 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
LaborerLABORER: POWER TOOL OPERATOR · 11 rates | $15.69 | $0.00 | $15.69 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260188 Mod 1 |
LaborerLABORER: COMMON OR GENERAL · 11 rates | $11.86 | $0.00 | $11.86 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260208 Mod 3 |
Operating EngineerPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · 37 rates | $16.24 | $0.87 | $17.11 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
Operating EngineerPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) · 37 rates | $39.99 | $18.05 | $58.04 | Jun 1, 2025 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
Operating EngineerOPERATOR: BULLDOZER, INCLUDING UTILITY · 37 rates | $17.81 | $0.00 | $17.81 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260188 Mod 1 |
Operating EngineerPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · 37 rates | $18.33 | $2.03 | $20.36 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260208 Mod 3 |
PainterPAINTER: BRUSH AND ROLLER · 3 rates | $20.01 | $0.00 | $20.01 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
PainterPAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER) · 3 rates | $15.41 | $0.00 | $15.41 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
Pile DriverOPERATOR: PILEDRIVER | $21.83 | $4.08 | $25.91 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260188 Mod 1 |
Plumber / PipefitterPLUMBER · 3 rates | $21.15 | $3.92 | $25.07 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
Plumber / PipefitterPLUMBER · 3 rates | $16.14 | $1.50 | $17.64 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
RooferROOFER · 2 rates | $16.17 | $3.73 | $19.90 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
RooferROOFER · 2 rates | $15.33 | $1.95 | $17.28 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSHEET METAL WORKER (INCLUDES HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION) · 2 rates | $18.38 | $3.30 | $21.68 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
Sheet Metal WorkerSHEET METAL WORKER, INCLUDES HVAC DUCT INSTALLATION · 2 rates | $15.54 | $0.00 | $15.54 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
Striping & Traffic Control WorkerTRAFFIC CONTROL: FLAGGER | $11.84 | $0.00 | $11.84 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260188 Mod 1 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK · 8 rates | $16.58 | $1.73 | $18.31 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK · 8 rates | $16.30 | $0.00 | $16.30 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260150 Mod 1 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)TRUCK DRIVER: MULTI AXLE · 8 rates | $17.53 | $0.00 | $17.53 | May 18, 2026 | VA20260188 Mod 1 |
Teamster (Truck Driver)TRUCK DRIVER: DUMP TRUCK · 8 rates | $15.00 | $1.84 | $16.84 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260208 Mod 3 |
Tile FinisherTILE FINISHER | $23.40 | $0.00 | $23.40 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
Tile SetterTILE SETTER | $27.80 | $10.25 | $38.05 | Oct 15, 2026 | VA20260172 Mod 2 |
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 Virginia modification we hold is dated October 15, 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.
Virginia's prevailing wage for state-funded public works over $250,000, and for localities that adopt it by ordinance, uses these same rates: DOLI's wage determinations "are based on" the Davis-Bacon ones, with no project-specific determinations (Va. Code 2.2-4321.3; DOLI). Only DOLI's official copy sent to the contracting agency counts for official purposes.
Which trades pay the most in Salem (independent city)?
Boilermaker, at $66.36 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.
- Boilermaker$66.36
- Ironworker$63.72
- Heat & Frost Insulator$60.94
- Tile Setter$38.05
- Electrician$31.09
- Bricklayer$30.68
- Pile Driver$25.91
- Plumber / Pipefitter$25.07
- Tile Finisher$23.40
- Sheet Metal Worker$21.68
- Painter$20.01
- Cement Mason$19.94
- Roofer$19.90
- Teamster (Truck Driver)$18.31
- Operating Engineer$17.11
- Laborer$16.73
- Carpenter$14.59
- Brick Tender$12.37
- Striping & Traffic Control$11.84
Which wage determinations cover Salem (independent city)?
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 | VA20260172 | 2 | October 15, 2026 |
| Residential | VA20260150 | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Highway | VA20260188 * Designates Independent City | 1 | May 18, 2026 |
| Heavy | VA20260208 | 3 | October 15, 2026 |
Specialty WDs also cover Salem (independent city) for narrow kinds of work, and don't stand in for the rates above: VA20260001 (Dredging / * Designates Independent City).
Questions about Salem (independent city) rates
How much does an electrician make on prevailing wage in Salem (independent city)?
$31.09 an hour: a $21.78 base wage plus $9.31 in fringe benefits, for the main classification, under wage determination VA20260172, modification 2. Overtime and every electrician rate in Salem (independent city).
What is the prevailing wage for a laborer in Salem (independent city)?
$16.73 an hour: a $15.15 base wage plus $1.58 in fringe benefits, for the main classification, under wage determination VA20260172, modification 2. Overtime and every laborer rate in Salem (independent city).
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 boilermaker, the highest-paid trade in Salem (independent city), the $66.36 total is a $38.97 base wage plus $27.39 in fringe benefits.
Which Davis-Bacon wage determination covers Salem (independent city)?
It depends on the kind of construction: VA20260172 (modification 2, October 15, 2026) for building construction, VA20260150 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for residential construction, VA20260188 (modification 1, May 18, 2026) for highway construction and VA20260208 (modification 3, October 15, 2026) for heavy construction. Your contract names the one that applies.
Does Salem (independent city) share its rates with other counties?
For 19 of its 19 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 Roanoke (independent city) group).