Hagåtña, Guam – New H-2B prevailing wage rates for common construction occupations were recently approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services through a biennial process using Guam data gathered from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey.
The three most common H-2B occupations for which H-2B workers are imported saw significant increases in their wage rates. Carpenters had a 0.65% increase, while Cement Masons saw a 4.96% increase and Reinforcing Metalworkers realized a higher increase of 7.17%. All craft worker rates exceed $15.00 per hour and range as high as $19.00 per hour. The new wage rates are not expected to change until October 2023.
The new rates will only affect new applications for H-2B workers filed with the Guam Department of Labor on or after December 14, 2021. Rates for current approvals remain at the old wage rates until the employer’s valid labor certification expires.
“The H-2B prevailing wage system helps ensure wage equity with our resident workforce who work beside our H-2B guest workers,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “We are pleased to see the continued increase in wages which benefits our locals who work in these skilled construction trades.”
“We’ve seen the positive ripple effect of H-2B pay increases on U.S. wage rates for similar occupations,” added Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio. “We are hopeful that wage increases within these occupations will entice our people to obtain the specialized trade skills to enter our robust and in-demand construction industry.”
The new Common Construction Prevailing Wage Rates are published on GDOL’s website at dol.guam.gov. For further information, contact Greg Massey at the Department of Labor at 475-8005 or via email at alpcd@dol.guam.gov.
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