Building prevailing wage rates for Custer County, MT | PrevailWage
Building prevailing wage rates for Custer County, MT
ELEVATOR MECHANIC FOOTNOTE leads the building schedule for Custer County, MT at $67.61 base plus $38.44 fringe. The active federal wage determination covering building construction in Custer County, MT lists 31 classifications with published rates, base pay from $14.47 to $67.61 per hour. The determination was last modified May 18, 2026.
CARPENTERFORM WORK ONLY ZONE DEFINITION: THE HOURLY RATE APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT IS DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL ROUTE FROM THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING TOWNS TO THE CETER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, LEWISTON, MILES CITY, AND MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE RATE ZONE 2: 31 TO 60 MILES - $4.00 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - $6.00
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.
With 31 classifications carrying published rates, this is a comparatively deep schedule; most trades a building project needs appear without a conformance request.
This schedule mixes sources: 61% 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.
Using these rates
Read the modification number
A wage determination is cited as number plus modification, for example MT20260057 Mod dated May 18, 2026. Your certified payroll should reflect the determination in your contract, not necessarily the newest one.
Put the WD in your bid file
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.
Check rates the Friday before payroll
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.
Match classifications by duties, not titles
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.
Fringe crediting basics
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.
Statement of Compliance wording
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.
Questions
Which wage determination applies to my project in Custer County?
The wage determination incorporated into your contract is the one that governs, per 29 CFR 1.6. For new building work in Custer County, MT, the current active determination is MT20260057. Verify with your contracting officer before bidding or paying.
How often do these rates change?
DOL publishes wage determination modifications weekly, generally on Fridays. The determination behind this page was last modified May 18, 2026.
What is the difference between the base rate and the fringe rate?
The base rate is the minimum hourly wage; the fringe amount is an additional hourly benefit obligation you can meet with bona fide benefit contributions or pay in cash. On this schedule the median fringe is about 43% of base.
My classification is not listed for Custer County. What do I do?
If the work classification you need is not on the determination, the contractor requests a conformance (additional classification and rate) through the contracting agency using Standard Form 1444. Do not substitute a similar-sounding classification.
What counts as building construction?
Building covers sheltered enclosures with walk-in access, such as offices, schools, and warehouses, including incidental site work. Single-family and low-rise residential work uses the residential schedule instead.
Does the federal rate or the Montana state prevailing wage apply?
Synced from SAM.gov July 18, 2026. The wage determination incorporated into your contract is the legally operative document.
CARPENTER: FORM WORK ONLY ZONE DEFINITION: THE HOURLY RATE APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT IS DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL ROUTE FROM THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING TOWNS TO THE CETER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, LEWISTON, MILES CITY, AND MISSOULA ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES - BASE RATE ZONE 2: 31 TO 60 MILES - $4.00 ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - $6.00
ELEVATOR MECHANIC FOOTNOTEADDITIONAL FRINGE BENEFITS DUE A. EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTES 8% OF THE BASIC HOURLY RATE FOR OVER 5 YEAR'S SERVICE AND 6% OF THE BASIC HOURLY RATE FOR 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS' OF SERVICE AS VACATION PAID CREDIT. B. EIGHT PAID HOLIDAYS: NEW YEAR'S DAY; MEMORIAL DAY; INDEPENDENCE DAY; LABOR DAY; VETERAN'S DAY; THANKSGIVING DAY; FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS DAY
MILLWRIGHT ZONE DEFINITIONTHE HOURLY RATE APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT IS DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL ROUTE FROM THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, LEWISTON, MILES CITY, AND MISSOULA. ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES- BASE RATE. ZONE 2: 31 TO 60 MILES - $4.00. ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - $6.00MILLWRIGHT ZONE DEFINITION: THE HOURLY RATE APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT IS DETERMINED BY MEASURING THE ROAD MILES OVER THE SHORTEST PRACTICAL ROUTE FROM THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF THE FOLLOWING TOWNS TO THE CENTER OF THE JOB: BILLINGS, BOZEMAN, BUTTE, GREAT FALLS, HELENA, KALISPELL, LEWISTON, MILES CITY, AND MISSOULA. ZONE 1: 0 TO 30 MILES- BASE RATE. ZONE 2: 31 TO 60 MILES - $4.00. ZONE 3: OVER 60 MILES - $6.00
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR(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: (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
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR(1) A-FRAME TRUCK 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 + $5.50POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (1) A-FRAME TRUCK 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
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR(6) CRANES 75 TO 144 TONS, WHIRLEY CRANES 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 + POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (6) CRANES 75 TO 144 TONS, WHIRLEY CRANES 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
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR(7) CRANES, 150 TONS TO INCLUDING 250 TONS (ADD $1.00 FOR EVERY 100 TONS OVER 250 TONS); 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 POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (7) CRANES, 150 TONS TO INCLUDING 250 TONS (ADD $1.00 FOR EVERY 100 TONS OVER 250 TONS); 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
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR(5) CRANES 45-74 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 + $5.50POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (5) CRANES 45-74 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
* 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.
They are separate systems. Davis-Bacon rates apply to federally funded or assisted work; a state prevailing wage law can apply to state-funded work. A project can be covered by both, in which case the higher rate for each classification effectively controls. This page shows the federal determination only.
Is the WH-347 form mandatory?
The WH-347 itself is optional; what is mandatory on covered work is submitting weekly certified payroll with the same information and a signed Statement of Compliance. Most contractors use the WH-347 layout because agencies expect it.