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Washington · Electrical Utility Lineman · 39 counties
Electrical Utility Lineman prevailing wage, King County group, Washington (39 counties)
L&I sets the same utility lineman rates, row for row, in 39 counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman and Yakima. Every figure on this page applies in each of them.
$98.45an hour, total · Journey Level Lineperson
$70.75 wage + $27.70 fringe benefits
On Washington public works in each of these 39 counties, a utility lineman working as journey level lineperson must be paid at least $98.45 an hour in total: $70.75 in wages plus $27.70 in fringe benefits for health, pension, vacation, training and other plans. L&I's rate took effect September 2, 2026.
L&I published this rate on August 3, 2026 and it took effect September 2, 2026. Checked against L&I's wage lookup on October 24, 2026.
L&I lists 9 commercial utility lineman rates for each of these counties, from $61.75 to $107.31 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe: $70.75 + $27.70
The wage is the taxable hourly rate. The other lines are what Washington law calls "usual benefits": contributions to health, pension, vacation and holiday, apprenticeship and similar plans. A contractor that doesn't provide a benefit pays its value as wages instead (RCW 39.12.010).
| Base wage (taxable) | $70.75 |
| Health and welfare | $7.50 |
| Pension | $18.12 |
| Training | $0.88 |
| Other benefits | $1.20 |
| Total straight-time hourly rate | $98.45 |
Set from: collective bargaining agreement, 2024–2029 Agreement Between The Northwest Line Constructors Chapter Of the National Electrical Contractors Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (AFL-CIO) Local 77. Where a county has a collective bargaining agreement, L&I adopts its wage and benefits; with more than one, the higher rate prevails. Otherwise L&I uses wage surveys (RCW 39.12.015).
Davis-Bacon utility lineman rates in these counties
The counties share L&I's rates, but not always the same federal wage determination. When a contract requires both the state rate and the Davis-Bacon rate, paying the higher of the two meets both. The contract documents say which apply.
| County | Federal classification | Base + fringe | WD | vs L&I |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | LINE CONSTRUCTION: LINEMEN | $85.42 | WA20260043 Mod 2 | L&I +$13.03 |
| Asotin County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Benton County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Chelan County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Clallam County | No federal row for this trade | |||
| Clark County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Columbia County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Cowlitz County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Douglas County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Ferry County | LINE CONSTRUCTION: LINEMEN | $85.42 | WA20260062 Mod 2 | L&I +$13.03 |
| Franklin County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Garfield County | LINE CONSTRUCTION: LINEMEN | $85.42 | WA20260062 Mod 2 | L&I +$13.03 |
| Grant County | LINE CONSTRUCTION: LINEMEN | $85.42 | WA20260045 Mod 2 | L&I +$13.03 |
| Grays Harbor County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Island County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Jefferson County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| King County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Kitsap County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Kittitas County | LINE CONSTRUCTION: LINEMEN | $85.42 | WA20260049 Mod 1 | L&I +$13.03 |
| Klickitat County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Lewis County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Lincoln County | LINE CONSTRUCTION: LINEMEN | $85.42 | WA20260052 Mod 2 | L&I +$13.03 |
| Mason County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Okanogan County | LINE CONSTRUCTION: LINEMEN | $85.42 | WA20260054 Mod 2 | L&I +$13.03 |
| Pacific County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Pend Oreille County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Pierce County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| San Juan County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Skagit County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Skamania County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Snohomish County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Spokane County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Stevens County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Thurston County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Wahkiakum County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Walla Walla County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Whatcom County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Whitman County | LINE CONSTRUCTION: LINEMEN | $85.42 | WA20260061 Mod 2 | L&I +$13.03 |
| Yakima County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
Holidays
L&I holiday code 5A:
Holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (7).
When this rate changes
- Rates lock at the bid date. A project uses “the rates that are in effect on the date when bids by prime contractors are due”, and they stay for the life of the contract. If the contract isn't awarded within six months of the bid date, the award-date rates apply. Contracts without bids use the date they're signed (WAC 296-127-011).
- L&I publishes on the first business day of February and August, and rates take effect 30 days later. Corrections can be published at any time and also take effect 30 days later (WAC 296-127-011(1); L&I publications and corrections). L&I's next set is due February 1, 2027, effective March 3, 2027.
- L&I doesn't republish every rate each period. A rate stays until L&I changes it, so each one has its own date. This one was published August 3, 2026 and took effect September 2, 2026.
Every utility lineman rate in the King County group
As L&I lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- Cable Splicer$107.31
- Certified Line Welder$98.45
- Heavy Line Equipment Operator$98.45
- Journey Level Lineperson$98.45
- Pole Sprayer$98.45
- Line Equipment Operator$84.94
- Powderperson$72.81
- Groundperson$61.75
- Meter Installer$61.75
| Classification | Total | Base | Fringes | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Splicer | $107.31 | $79.24 | $28.07 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Certified Line Welder | $98.45 | $70.75 | $27.70 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Groundperson | $61.75 | $42.45 | $19.30 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Heavy Line Equipment Operator | $98.45 | $70.75 | $27.70 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Journey Level Lineperson | $98.45 | $70.75 | $27.70 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Line Equipment Operator | $84.94 | $60.85 | $24.09 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Meter Installer | $61.75 | $42.45 | $19.30 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Pole Sprayer | $98.45 | $70.75 | $27.70 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Powderperson | $72.81 | $53.06 | $19.75 | Sep 2, 2026 |
How the King County group compares
The main utility lineman rate in every county that has one, and how the pay splits here and in the nearest counties. All bars use the same scale.
Every county in Washington
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- King County groupbase $70.75$98.45
- Pierce Countybase $70.75$98.45
- Snohomish Countybase $70.75$98.45
- Kitsap Countybase $70.75$98.45
Which county is in which utility lineman group
Every Washington county with a utility lineman rate. Counties L&I treats alike share one page; the rest have their own. You pay the rate for the county where the work is done.
| Counties | Main classification | Total | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| King County group, 39 counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima | Journey Level Lineperson | $98.45 | $70.75 |
1 group of counties with identical L&I rates, and 0 counties with rates of their own.
Washington utility lineman prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from L&I on this rate
- Scope of work, WAC 296-127-01320: which tasks this trade covers. L&I says the right classification “depends upon determinations published by L&I” (L&I).
- L&I's prevailing wage lookup, for any county, trade and bid date
- Apprentices: registered apprentices are paid L&I's apprentice rate for the trade. Anyone without a registered agreement counts as a journey-level worker (RCW 39.12.021).
Every trade's rates, county by county: Adams · Asotin · Benton · Chelan · Clallam · Clark · Columbia · Cowlitz · Douglas · Ferry · Franklin · Garfield · Grant · Grays Harbor · Island · Jefferson · King · Kitsap · Kittitas · Klickitat · Lewis · Lincoln · Mason · Okanogan · Pacific · Pend Oreille · Pierce · San Juan · Skagit · Skamania · Snohomish · Spokane · Stevens · Thurston · Wahkiakum · Walla Walla · Whatcom · Whitman · Yakima
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your wage to what your employer pays into health, pension and other plans for you, and compare it with $98.45. Each contractor files an L&I-approved Statement of Intent to Pay Prevailing Wages before it's paid, and an Affidavit of Wages Paid when the job is accepted (RCW 39.12.040). On contracts over $10,000 the approved intent and L&I's contact details are posted on the job site (RCW 39.12.020).
Source
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, prevailing wage lookup, Electricians - Powerline Construction (ELEP), published August 3, 2026, effective September 2, 2026: secure.lni.wa.gov/wagelookup/. L&I keeps a wage record for each county; for the row this page leads with:
- Adams County: L&I wage record 149817
- Asotin County: L&I wage record 149817
- Benton County: L&I wage record 149817
- Chelan County: L&I wage record 149817
- Clallam County: L&I wage record 149817
- Clark County: L&I wage record 149817
- Columbia County: L&I wage record 149817
- Cowlitz County: L&I wage record 149817
- Douglas County: L&I wage record 149817
- Ferry County: L&I wage record 149817
- Franklin County: L&I wage record 149817
- Garfield County: L&I wage record 149817
- Grant County: L&I wage record 149817
- Grays Harbor County: L&I wage record 149817
- Island County: L&I wage record 149817
- Jefferson County: L&I wage record 149817
- King County: L&I wage record 149817
- Kitsap County: L&I wage record 149817
- Kittitas County: L&I wage record 149817
- Klickitat County: L&I wage record 149817
- Lewis County: L&I wage record 149817
- Lincoln County: L&I wage record 149817
- Mason County: L&I wage record 149817
- Okanogan County: L&I wage record 149817
- Pacific County: L&I wage record 149817
- Pend Oreille County: L&I wage record 149817
- Pierce County: L&I wage record 149817
- San Juan County: L&I wage record 149817
- Skagit County: L&I wage record 149817
- Skamania County: L&I wage record 149817
- Snohomish County: L&I wage record 149817
- Spokane County: L&I wage record 149817
- Stevens County: L&I wage record 149817
- Thurston County: L&I wage record 149817
- Wahkiakum County: L&I wage record 149817
- Walla Walla County: L&I wage record 149817
- Whatcom County: L&I wage record 149817
- Whitman County: L&I wage record 149817
- Yakima County: L&I wage record 149817
Each figure comes from L&I's lookup and is checked against L&I's CSV export and a second, separate query. How we check · Download every Washington rate as CSV · Report an error