Datasets:

referencesource
/

state-prevailing-wage-thresholds

+---
+pretty_name: "State prevailing wage law applicability thresholds"
+license: other
+license_name: source-terms-cited
+license_link: https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/
+language:
+- en
+tags:
+- reference-data
+- provenance
+- referencesource-org
+configs:
+- config_name: default
+  data_files:
+  - split: train
+    path: data/records.jsonl
+---
+# State prevailing wage law applicability thresholds
+**Canonical, always-current version: https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/**
+Machine-readable: https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/data.json — this mirror is a point-in-time copy.
+- **Last verified:** 2026-08-15
+- **Stale after:** 2027-08-15 (past this date, prefer the canonical copy —
+  it re-verifies on a cadence this snapshot does not)
+- **Records:** 11
+At what project dollar amount does the prevailing wage apply in each state? About 28 US states have their own prevailing wage laws ('Little Davis-Bacon Acts') covering state- and locally-funded construction. The threshold ranges from $0 (New York, Illinois — all public works) to $1,000 (California) to $500,000 (Colorado) to $1,000,000 (Connecticut new construction). The remaining ~22 states have no prevailing wage law. The federal Davis-Bacon Act applies to all federally-funded construction over $2,000 regardless of state. One record per state, sourced from that state's department of labor. Answers 'does prevailing wage apply to my project in Texas', 'what is the prevailing wage threshold in California', 'which states have prevailing wage laws', and 'do I have to pay prevailing wage on a $50,000 state project'. The DOL published the definitive comparison at dol.gov but it returns 403 to non-browser fetchers, so agents and assistants are locked out of the federal reference.
+## Provenance — what every record carries
+Every record carries `source` (the URL the value was read from) and
+`source_quote` (a verbatim quote from that page stating it). A value you
+cannot check against its page is indistinguishable from an invented one;
+these can all be checked. Each record is also individually addressable on
+the canonical site at its `url`.
+## Licence position
+Facts extracted from state department of labor pages, with attributed quote and link back. Prevailing wage thresholds are public regulatory facts published by state agencies. No source carries a restrictive notice.
+Facts are not copyrightable; what this dataset takes from each source is a
+fact plus a short attributed quote linking back to the page that states it.
+## Sources
+- https://www.dir.ca.gov/public-works/prevailing-wage.html
+- https://osa.colorado.gov/state-buildings/prevailing-wage-and-apprenticeship
+- https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol02_Ch0046-0115/HRS0104/HRS_0104-0002.htm
+- https://www.labor.maryland.gov/labor/prev/
+- https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/employment-practices/prevailing-wage-contracting-agencies
+- https://labor.mo.gov/dls/prevailing-wage
+- https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-338.html
+- https://www.oregon.gov/boli/employers/Pages/which-prevailing-wage-rate-applies-to-this-project.aspx
+- https://dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/prevailing-wage
+- https://doli.virginia.gov/programs/labor-law/prevailing-wage-law/
+- https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/public-works-projects/
+## Fields
+See any record in `data/records.jsonl` — field names are self-describing,
+and the canonical page for each record renders them with labels:
+https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/

data/records.jsonl ADDED Viewed

	@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@

+{"administering_agency": "Department of Industrial Relations", "covered_project_types": "public works projects", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "california", "source": "https://www.dir.ca.gov/public-works/prevailing-wage.html", "source_quote": "public works projects must be paid the prevailing wage determined by the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations, according to the type of work and location of the project. The prevailing wage rates are usually based on rates specified in collective bargaining agreements. Resources <https://www.dir.ca.gov/OPRL/DPreWageDetermination.htm> Prevailing wage rates <http://www.dir.ca.gov/OPRL/pwappwage/PWAppWageStart.asp> Apprentice prevailing wage rates <https://www.dir.ca.gov/OPRL/statistics_and_databases.html> Labor Research and Statistics Office (within OPRL) For more information and to find exact legal definitions and language please see the <http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=LAB&division=2.&title=&part=7.&chapter=1.&article=> Public Works Chapter of the <http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codesTOCSelected.xhtml?tocCode=LAB&tocTitle=+Labor+Code+-+LAB=> California Labor Code .", "state": "California", "threshold_amount": "all public works projects", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/california/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "state"]}
+{"administering_agency": "Office of the State Architect", "covered_project_types": "public projects — any construction, alteration, repair, demolition, or improvement of any land, building, structure, facility, road, highway, bridge, or other public improvement", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "funding_scope": "state (projects utilizing federal funds are exempt from these requirements)", "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "colorado", "source": "https://osa.colorado.gov/state-buildings/prevailing-wage-and-apprenticeship", "source_quote": "Any construction contract awarded for $500,000 or more is subject to the requirements of prevailing wage and any public project construction in the amount of $1 million dollars or more shall be required to comply with the Apprenticeship utilization requirements of C.R.S. §24-92-115. Projects utilizing Federal funds are exempt from these requirements.", "state": "Colorado", "statute_citation": "C.R.S. §24-92-201", "threshold_amount": "$500,000", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/colorado/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "funding_scope", "state", "statute_citation", "threshold_amount"]}
+{"administering_agency": "Department of Labor and Industrial Relations", "covered_project_types": "construction of a public work project to which a governmental contracting agency is a party", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "funding_scope": "state and local (governmental contracting agency)", "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "hawaii", "source": "https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol02_Ch0046-0115/HRS0104/HRS_0104-0002.htm", "source_quote": "This chapter shall apply to every contract in excess of $2,000 for construction of a public work project to which a governmental contracting agency is a party; provided that this chapter shall not apply to experimental and demonstration housing developed pursuant to section 46-15 or housing developed pursuant to chapter 201H if the cost of the project is less than $500,000 and the eligible bidder or eligible developer is a private nonprofit corporation.", "state": "Hawaii", "statute_citation": "HRS §104-2", "threshold_amount": "$2,000", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/hawaii/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "funding_scope", "state", "statute_citation", "threshold_amount"]}
+{"administering_agency": "Division of Labor and Industry, Prevailing Wage Unit", "covered_project_types": "state or political subdivision construction contracts including school construction", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "funding_scope": "state funding of 25% or more", "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "maryland", "source": "https://www.labor.maryland.gov/labor/prev/", "source_quote": "The Prevailing Wage Unit assists prime contractors and subcontractors who perform work on state or political subdivision construction contracts including school construction where the contract value is $250,000 or greater with state funding of 25% or more.", "state": "Maryland", "statute_citation": "State Finance and Procurement Article, Section 17-201", "threshold_amount": "$250,000", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/maryland/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "funding_scope", "state", "statute_citation", "threshold_amount"]}
+{"administering_agency": "Department of Labor and Industry", "covered_project_types": "projects financed in whole or part by state funds", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "funding_scope": "state-funded (in whole or part)", "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "minnesota", "source": "https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/employment-practices/prevailing-wage-contracting-agencies", "source_quote": "This section applies to a contract or work under a contract, under which: only one trade or occupation is required to complete it and the project is greater than $2,500; or the estimated total cost of completing the project is greater than $25,000.", "state": "Minnesota", "statute_citation": "Minnesota Statutes 177.41 to 177.44", "threshold_amount": "$25,000 (or $2,500 for single-trade projects)", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/minnesota/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "funding_scope", "state", "statute_citation", "threshold_amount"]}
+{"administering_agency": "Division of Labor Standards", "covered_project_types": "public works projects constructed by or on behalf of state and local public bodies", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "funding_scope": "state and local public bodies", "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "missouri", "source": "https://labor.mo.gov/dls/prevailing-wage", "source_quote": "Missouri's Prevailing Wage Law establishes a minimum wage rate for public works projects in Missouri valued over $75,000. Examples of public works projects include bridges, roads and government buildings. The Prevailing Wage Law applies to all public works projects constructed by or on behalf of state and local public bodies.", "state": "Missouri", "threshold_amount": "over $75,000", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/missouri/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "funding_scope", "state", "threshold_amount"]}
+{"administering_agency": "Office of the Labor Commissioner", "covered_project_types": "public works", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "funding_scope": "state and local", "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "nevada", "source": "https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-338.html", "source_quote": "Any contract for a public work whose estimated cost is less than $100,000. A unit of the project must not be separated from the total project, even if that unit is to be completed at a later time, in order to lower the estimated cost of the project below $100,000.", "state": "Nevada", "statute_citation": "NRS 338.080", "threshold_amount": "$100,000", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/nevada/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "funding_scope", "state", "statute_citation", "threshold_amount"]}
+{"administering_agency": "Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)", "covered_project_types": "all public works projects in the state of Oregon", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "funding_scope": "state and local (public works)", "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "oregon", "source": "https://www.oregon.gov/boli/employers/Pages/which-prevailing-wage-rate-applies-to-this-project.aspx", "source_quote": "<https://www.oregon.gov/boli/employers/Pages/Prevailing-Wage-CBA-Submission-Form.aspx> Prevailing Wage CBA Submission Form Prevailing wage rates must&#160;be paid to workers on all public works projects in the state of Oregon.", "state": "Oregon", "threshold_amount": "no minimum (all public works)", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/oregon/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "funding_scope", "state", "threshold_amount"]}
+{"administering_agency": "Department of Labor and Training", "covered_project_types": "public works projects — all craftsmen, mechanics, laborers, teamsters, and other workers", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "funding_scope": "state or municipal funds", "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "rhode-island", "source": "https://dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/prevailing-wage", "source_quote": "Prevailing Wage laws, outlined in RIGL 37-13 , require that workers on public works projects receive the appropriate regular, holiday, and overtime wage rates for their trade. These requirements apply to all craftsmen, mechanics, laborers, teamsters, and other workers when state or municipal funds exceed $1,000 .", "state": "Rhode Island", "statute_citation": "RIGL 37-13", "threshold_amount": "$1,000", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/rhode-island/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "funding_scope", "state", "statute_citation", "threshold_amount"]}
+{"administering_agency": "Department of Labor and Industry", "covered_project_types": "public works — the operation, erection, construction, alteration, improvement, maintenance, or repair of any public facility or immovable property owned, used, or leased by a state agency or locality", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "funding_scope": "state-funded (or local, if locality has adopted an ordinance)", "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "virginia", "source": "https://doli.virginia.gov/programs/labor-law/prevailing-wage-law/", "source_quote": "The Prevailing Wage law applies to contracts for public works paid for in whole or in part by state funds, valued at $250,000 or more if either of the following criteria are met: The contracting public body is a unit of State Government or an instrumentality of the State, and there is any State funding for the project; or The contracting public body is a locality that has adopted an ordinance requiring the payment of the prevailing wage for public works paid for in whole or in part by funds of the locality.", "state": "Virginia", "statute_citation": "Virginia Code 2-2-4321.3", "threshold_amount": "$250,000", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/virginia/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "funding_scope", "state", "statute_citation", "threshold_amount"]}
+{"administering_agency": "Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)", "covered_project_types": "construction, reconstruction, maintenance or repair funded by any public dollars, including building service maintenance, landscape construction and grounds maintenance, and small projects", "derived_fields": ["has_prevailing_wage_law"], "funding_scope": "any public dollars (direct or indirect) for any portion of the project", "has_prevailing_wage_law": "Yes", "id": "washington", "source": "https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/public-works-projects/", "source_quote": "Small projects (no minimum dollar amount) such as maintenance and repairs including \"small works\" roster contracts.", "state": "Washington", "threshold_amount": "no minimum (all public works)", "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-prevailing-wage-thresholds/washington/", "verified_fields": ["administering_agency", "covered_project_types", "funding_scope", "state", "threshold_amount"]}