🏛️ Prevailing Wage Calculator
Get prevailing wage calculations right — penalties for violations are severe.
What is Prevailing Wage?
Prevailing wage laws require contractors on public works projects to pay workers at least the "prevailing" rate for their trade in that geographic area.
Federal: Davis-Bacon Act (projects over $2,000 with federal funding) State: Most states have their own laws (California, New York, etc.)
Components of Prevailing Wage
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Hourly Rate | Cash wages paid to worker |
| Fringe Benefits | Health, pension, vacation, training |
| Total Hourly Rate | Basic + Fringe (what you must provide) |
How Fringe Benefits Work
You can meet the fringe requirement by:
- Pay actual benefits — Health insurance, pension contributions, etc.
- Pay as cash — Add fringe amount to hourly wage
- Combination — Mix of benefits and cash
Example:
- Required fringe: $15.00/hour
- Your health plan costs: $8.00/hour
- Pay additional cash: $7.00/hour
In California, you cannot credit more than the actual cost of benefits. If health insurance costs you $6/hour but the fringe rate is $10/hour, you must pay the $4 difference as cash.
California Prevailing Wage Lookup
- Go to DIR Prevailing Wage
- Select county and craft
- Note the journey-level and apprentice rates
- Check effective dates — rates change periodically
Federal Davis-Bacon Lookup
- Go to SAM.gov Wage Determinations
- Search by state and county
- Find your project type (building, heavy, highway, residential)
- Look up the specific trade classification
Common Classifications
| Trade | Common Classifications |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Journeyman Carpenter, Carpenter Foreman |
| Laborer | Group 1-4 (varies by task) |
| Operating Engineer | Group 1-5 (varies by equipment) |
| Electrician | Inside Wireman, Cable Splicer |
| Plumber | Journeyman Plumber, Pipefitter |
| Ironworker | Structural, Reinforcing, Ornamental |
Apprentice Rates
Apprentices can be paid less than journey rate IF:
- Registered in an approved apprenticeship program
- Properly supervised
- Working within their allowed ratio
- Documentation is current
Typical apprentice rates:
- 1st period: 60% of journey rate
- 2nd period: 65%
- 3rd period: 70%
- And so on...
Overtime on Prevailing Wage
Check the wage determination — OT rules vary:
| Scenario | Rate |
|---|---|
| Over 8 hours/day (CA) | 1.5x total rate |
| Over 12 hours/day (CA) | 2x total rate |
| Saturday (some determinations) | 1.5x total rate |
| Sunday/Holiday | 2x total rate (often) |
Quick Calculation Example
Project: School renovation in Los Angeles County Trade: Carpenter (Journeyman) Determination:
- Basic rate: $52.50/hour
- Fringe: $28.75/hour
- Total: $81.25/hour
Your costs:
- Health insurance: $12.00/hour
- Pension: $8.00/hour
- Training fund: $1.50/hour
- Benefits provided: $21.50/hour
- Cash fringe owed: $7.25/hour
- Pay to worker: $52.50 + $7.25 = $59.75/hour
Penalties for Violations
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Underpayment | Back wages + interest |
| Falsified CPRs | Criminal prosecution |
| Willful violation | Debarment (3 years) |
| California penalties | Up to $200/day per worker |