Pay rates?
It all depends on location and demand.
If the economy is good then pay rates will of course be higher. If it isin't very good, then they will be lower.
Prevailing wages differ greatly across the country. They are very low down south and are pretty decent up north. But unless you are in a union this means very little to you.
I can say that the "average" pay rate in my area is whatever someone will work for. It totally depends upon what you can work out with the employer, so, it depends on what you are worth to him.
