Which wage determination applies to my project in Watauga County?

The wage determination incorporated into your contract is the one that governs, per 29 CFR 1.6. For new heavy work in Watauga County, NC, the current active determination is NC20260019. 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 21% of base.

My classification is not listed for Watauga 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 heavy construction?

Heavy covers projects that are not building, residential, or highway, such as water and sewer lines, dams, and flood control. Agencies sometimes split it further; the contract states which schedule applies.

Does the federal rate or the North Carolina state prevailing wage apply?

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.

PREVAILWAGE

Pulling the rate table…

Heavy prevailing wage rates for Watauga County, NC | PrevailWage

Heavy prevailing wage rates for Watauga County, NC

DREDGING leads the heavy schedule for Watauga County, NC at $48.48 base plus $15.34 fringe. The active federal wage determinations covering heavy construction in Watauga County, NC list 26 classifications with published rates, base pay from $7.53 to $48.48 per hour. The determination was last modified May 18, 2026.

Classifications: 26; with published rates
Median base: $10.31; per hour
Median fringe: 21%; of base pay
Last modified: May 18, 2026

Published rates

Classification	Base	Fringe	WD
CARPENTER(FORM WORK ONLY)	$14.85	$1.38	NC20260068
CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER	$13.10	$1.32	NC20260068
COOK(HYDRAULIC DREDGES UNDER 20""). PREMIUMS: ADDITIONAL 20% FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL WORK FOOTNOTE APPLICABLE TO ABOVE CRAFTS: A. NEW YEAR'S DAY, GOOD FRIDAY, MEMORIAL DAY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, LABOR DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY AND CHRISTMAS DAY. VACATION CONTRIBUTION OF 8% OF STRAIGHT TIME RATE MULTIPLIED BY THE TOTAL HOURS WORKED. B. NEW YEAR'S DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, LABOR DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY, CHRISTMAS DAY. PLUS VACATION CONTRIBUTION OF 8% OF STRAIGHT TIME PAY FOR ALL HOURS WORKED. INCENTIV	$8.11	$1.73

Across the 26 published classifications for heavy work in Watauga County, NC, base pay spans $7.53 to $48.48 per hour with a median of $10.31.

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.

77% of the rate lines here carry union local identifiers, so the published figures track negotiated agreements, which is why some classifications carry high fringe amounts relative to base.

Using these rates

Read the modification number

A wage determination is cited as number plus modification, for example NC20260019 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 Watauga County?: The wage determination incorporated into your contract is the one that governs, per 29 CFR 1.6. For new heavy work in Watauga County, NC, the current active determination is NC20260019. 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 21% of base.
My classification is not listed for Watauga 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 heavy construction?: Heavy covers projects that are not building, residential, or highway, such as water and sewer lines, dams, and flood control. Agencies sometimes split it further; the contract states which schedule applies.
Does the federal rate or the North Carolina state prevailing wage apply?

Sources

NC20260019 rev. 2 · modified May 18, 2026
NC20260068 rev. 1 · modified May 18, 2026

Synced from SAM.gov July 18, 2026. The wage determination incorporated into your contract is the legally operative document.