Pulling the rate table…
LINE CONSTRUCTION leads the heavy schedule for Chouteau County, MT at $48.65 base plus $9.40 fringe. The active federal wage determination covering heavy construction in Chouteau County, MT lists 25 classifications with published rates, base pay from $15.14 to $48.65 per hour. The determination was last modified May 18, 2026.
| Classification | Base | Fringe | WD |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARPENTER(FORM WORK ONLY) | $24.30 | $7.80 | MT20260077 |
| CARPENTER, EXCLUDES FORM WORK | $21.13 | $7.00 | MT20260077 |
| ELECTRICIAN(BLAINE, CHOUTEAU, FERGUS, GLACIER, JUDITH BASIN, LIBERTY, PETROLEUM, PONDERA, WHEATLAND, HILL, AND TETON COUNTIES) | $38.51 | $17.09 | MT20260077 |
| ELECTRICIAN(GOLDEN VALLEY AND MUSSLESHELL COUNTIES) | $43.92 |
Across the 25 published classifications for heavy work in Chouteau County, MT, base pay spans $15.14 to $48.65 per hour with a median of $29.09.
The most recent modification to the governing determination is dated May 18, 2026. DOL's weekly publication cycle means further modifications can post on any Friday.
This schedule mixes sources: 64% of lines carry union identifiers and the rest are survey-based. Two crews on one site can be governed by rates that update on entirely different rhythms.
A wage determination is cited as number plus modification, for example MT20260077 Mod dated May 18, 2026. Your certified payroll should reflect the determination in your contract, not necessarily the newest one.
Save the full determination text with your bid papers the day you price the job. If rates change later, the contract determination is your record of what you bid against.
DOL publishes modifications weekly, generally Fridays. A quick check before running payroll catches a mid-project modification before it shows up in an agency review instead.
The classification that applies is determined by the work performed, not the worker's title. A foreman who works with the tools is generally due the rate for the hours on the tools.
You can meet the fringe obligation with bona fide benefit plan contributions, cash, or a combination. Track the hourly equivalent of what you contribute; agencies ask for the math.
The signed Statement of Compliance may be the WH-347 back page or another document with identical wording. The signature is a federal certification by your company's officer; accuracy is on the certifier.
Synced from SAM.gov July 18, 2026. The wage determination incorporated into your contract is the legally operative document.
| $18.17 |
| MT20260077 |
| ELECTRICIAN(SWEET GRASS COUNTY) | $41.94 | $16.97 | MT20260077 |
| IRONWORKERREINFORCING AND STRUCTURAL (GLACIER COUNTY) | $32.08 | $29.06 | MT20260077 |
| IRONWORKERREINFORCING AND STRUCTURAL (BLAINE, CHOUTEAU, FERGUS, GOLDEN VALLEY, HILL, JUDITH BASIN, LIBERTY, MUSSELSHELL, PETROLEUM, PONDERA, SWEET GRASS, TETON, AND WHEATLAND COUNTIES) | $36.83 | $25.30 | MT20260077 |
| LABORERCOMMON OR GENERAL | $17.99 | $5.90 | MT20260077 |
| LABORERLANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION | $15.14 | $1.30 | MT20260077 |
| LABORERPIPELAYER | $18.13 | $5.90 | MT20260077 |
| LINE CONSTRUCTION(1) LINEMAN | $48.65 | $9.40 | MT20260077 |
| LINE CONSTRUCTION(3) GROUNDMAN | $29.09 | $8.36 | MT20260077 |
| OPERATORBACKHOE | $25.71 | $8.05 | MT20260077 |
| OPERATORBOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADER | $23.53 | $8.05 | MT20260077 |
| OPERATORGRADER/BLADE | $25.44 | $8.45 | MT20260077 |
| OPERATORLOADER (FRONT END) | $25.01 | $7.78 | MT20260077 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPEARTORZONE 1: (1)A-FRAME TRUCK CRANE, OILER (EXCEPT CRANE). ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES -POWER EQUIPMENT OPEARTOR: ZONE 1: (1)A-FRAME TRUCK CRANE, OILER (EXCEPT CRANE). ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $23.47 | $10.40 | MT20260077 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORZONE 1: (2) CRANE OILER, BULLDOZER, ROLLER (DIRT AND GRADE COMPACTION), EXCAVATOR. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ZONE 1: (2) CRANE OILER, BULLDOZER, ROLLER (DIRT AND GRADE COMPACTION), EXCAVATOR. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $23.94 | $10.40 | MT20260077 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, ZONE 1: (7) CRANES, 150 TONS TO INCLUDING 250 TONS (ADD $1.00 FOR EVERY 100 TONS OVER 250 TONS); CRANE, STIFF-LEG OR DERRICK; HELICOPTER HOIST; CRANE, TOWER (ALL). ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR:, ZONE 1: (7) CRANES, 150 TONS TO INCLUDING 250 TONS (ADD $1.00 FOR EVERY 100 TONS OVER 250 TONS); CRANE, STIFF-LEG OR DERRICK; HELICOPTER HOIST; CRANE, TOWER (ALL). ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $42.23 | $16.20 | MT20260077 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORZONE 1: (6) CRANES 75 TO AND INCL. 149 TONS; CRANES, WHIRLEY (ALL). ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ZONE 1: (6) CRANES 75 TO AND INCL. 149 TONS; CRANES, WHIRLEY (ALL). ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $41.15 | $16.20 | MT20260077 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORZONE 1: (5) CRANES 45 TONS TO AND INCL. 74 TONS. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASEPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ZONE 1: (5) CRANES 45 TONS TO AND INCL. 74 TONS. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $40.07 | $16.20 | MT20260077 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORZONE 1: (4) CRANES 25-44 TONS. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ZONE 1: (4) CRANES 25-44 TONS. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $38.98 | $16.20 | MT20260077 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORZONE 1: (3) MECHANIC, SCRAPER. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ZONE 1: (3) MECHANIC, SCRAPER. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL MAINTAINED ROUTE FROM THE NEAREST COUNTY COURT HOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE PAY ZONE 2: 30 TO 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $3.50 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - BASE PAY + $5.50 | $24.34 | $10.40 | MT20260077 |
| TRUCK DRIVER(2) DUMP TRUCK ZONE A ZONE B (30-60 MILES FROM COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF LISTED CITIES*): ADD $3.05 PER HOUR TO ZONE A RATES ZONE C (OVER 60 MILES FROM COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF LISTED CITIES*): ADD $4.85 PER HOUR TO ZONE A RATES. *ZONE PAY WILL BE CALCULATED FROM THE CITY CENTER OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED CITIES: BILLINGS BOZEMAN BUTTE GREAT FALLS HELENA KALISPELL MISSOULATRUCK DRIVER (2) DUMP TRUCK ZONE A ZONE B (30-60 MILES FROM COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF LISTED CITIES*): ADD $3.05 PER HOUR TO ZONE A RATES ZONE C (OVER 60 MILES FROM COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF LISTED CITIES*): ADD $4.85 PER HOUR TO ZONE A RATES. *ZONE PAY WILL BE CALCULATED FROM THE CITY CENTER OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED CITIES: BILLINGS BOZEMAN BUTTE GREAT FALLS HELENA KALISPELL MISSOULA | $45.28 | $13.40 | MT20260077 |
| TRUCK DRIVER(3) DUMP TRUCK ZONE A ZONE B (30-60 MILES FROM COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF LISTED CITIES*): ADD $3.05 PER HOUR TO ZONE A RATES ZONE C (OVER 60 MILES FROM COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF LISTED CITIES*): ADD $4.85 PER HOUR TO ZONE A RATES. *ZONE PAY WILL BE CALCULATED FROM THE CITY CENTER OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED CITIES: BILLINGS BOZEMAN BUTTE GREAT FALLS HELENA KALISPELL MISSOULATRUCK DRIVER (3) DUMP TRUCK ZONE A ZONE B (30-60 MILES FROM COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF LISTED CITIES*): ADD $3.05 PER HOUR TO ZONE A RATES ZONE C (OVER 60 MILES FROM COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF LISTED CITIES*): ADD $4.85 PER HOUR TO ZONE A RATES. *ZONE PAY WILL BE CALCULATED FROM THE CITY CENTER OF THE FOLLOWING LISTED CITIES: BILLINGS BOZEMAN BUTTE GREAT FALLS HELENA KALISPELL MISSOULA | $45.28 | $13.40 | MT20260077 |
* changed in the most recent modification. Survey-based (SU) identifiers are non-union survey rates. Amounts tagged per day or per shift are published that way in the source determination and are not hourly wages; they are excluded from the hourly figures above.