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Using the Classification Lookup: Find Any NYC Rate

Not sure which rate applies to a specific job? The WageHound Classification Lookup is a free-text search across every trade and job classification in the database. This guide explains how to search effectively and how to interpret the results.

What the Lookup Searches

The Classification Lookup searches across:

  • Job classification name (e.g., "Journeyman," "Foreman," "Apprentice 3rd Year")
  • Trade name (e.g., "Electrician," "Plumber," "Carpenter")
  • Union name (e.g., "IBEW Local 3," "Plumbers Local 1")

Results are filtered in real time as you type. You can also filter by trade using the dropdown to narrow results to a specific craft before searching by classification name.

Search Strategies That Work

Search by partial classification name
"foreman" → returns all Foreman classifications across every trade
💡 Use generic terms first to see the full range of options, then narrow down.
Search by trade name
"plumb" → returns all Plumber classifications (Journeyman, Foreman, Apprentice tiers)
💡 You do not need to type the full trade name — partial matches work.
Search by union local number
"Local 3" → returns all classifications tracked for IBEW Local 3
💡 Useful when you know the union but not the specific classification name.
Search by specialty keyword
"welder" or "ironwork" → returns matching specialty classifications
💡 For specialty work, try multiple keyword variations if the first search returns no results.

Reading a Lookup Result Card

Each result card shows the full rate detail for that classification. Here is how to read each field:

Union Name + Local
The specific local union whose CBA sets this rate. Click through to the Union Registry for full union detail including contact information and rate history.
Trade
The craft category. Use this to confirm you have the right trade — a "Foreman" in Plumbing has a different rate than a "Foreman" in Carpentry.
Job Classification
The specific tier within the trade (Apprentice Year 1, Journeyman, Foreman, General Foreman). This must match the actual worker's classification on your project.
Hourly Rate
The straight-time base wage per hour. Overtime is applied on top of this at the CBA multiplier (typically 1.5× for daily OT, 2× for Sundays/holidays).
Total Benefits
Sum of all required fringe benefit contributions (annuity + pension + welfare + vacation + JIB + educational + other). This is mandatory — not optional.
Total Package
Hourly Rate + Total Benefits. This is the prevailing wage employer cost before payroll taxes and insurance.
Effective Date
The date from which this rate is in force. Rates update July 1 annually. Always confirm you are using a post-July 1 rate for the current year.
Verified
Whether the rate has been cross-referenced against the official government source. Unverified rates should be confirmed independently.

When the Lookup Returns No Results

If your search returns no matches, consider these possibilities:

  • The trade or classification uses a different name in the schedule: Try alternate terminology — e.g., "Journeyperson" instead of "Journeyman," or the full trade name instead of an abbreviation.
  • The union has not yet been added to the WageHound database: Reference the NYC Comptroller 220 Schedule or NYSDOL site directly. Consider adding the union through the Union Registry.
  • The classification is a specialty tier not separately tracked: Look at the full union detail page — some specialty classifications appear in the Rate History table but not as a primary lookup result.

Lookup vs. Prevailing Wage Page: Which to Use?

Use CaseBest Tool
Look up one specific classification quicklyClassification Lookup
Browse all rates for a trade side by sidePrevailing Wage page (trade filter)
Compare Comptroller vs. NYSDOL ratesPrevailing Wage page (Compare tab)
Check rate for a specific unionUnion Registry → Union detail page
Historical rate for a prior yearUnion Registry → Rate History (expanded)
Project total labor cost across multiple classificationsCost Projection tool

✓ Rate Lookup Best Practices

  • Always confirm the effective date is current — do not assume rates have not changed since your last lookup.
  • Verify the job classification matches the worker's actual role, not just their trade.
  • Use the Total Package figure for budgeting, not just the base rate.
  • For unverified rates, cross-reference against the Comptroller website before using in compliance work.
  • If a classification is missing from WageHound, go directly to comptroller.nyc.gov or apps.labor.ny.gov.
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