California

Public Works / Construction Projects

In California, prevailing wage laws and the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) play an essential role in ensuring fair compensation for workers involved in public works projects. These rates are
determined based on various factors such as location, type of work, and job classification.

For some government contracts in CA, agencies require contractors to provide proof of CA DIR registration. Public works contractors can register or renew for one, two, or three fiscal years (July 1-June 30) for a fee of $400, $800 or $1,200

https://www.dir.ca.gov/Public-Works/Contractor-Registration.html

Prevailing wage rates can differ across counties and can change periodically, so it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest information.

Here’s a brief explanation of each:

• Prevailing Wage: Prevailing wage is a term used to describe the hourly wage, benefits, and overtime paid to the majority of workers within a particular area, employed on projects funded by the government. In California, prevailing wage laws require that contractors and subcontractors working on public works projects pay their employees at least the prevailing wage rate. The intent behind these laws is to ensure that government-funded projects do not drive down local wages and to promote fair competition among contractors.
• Prevailing wage rates are determined by the Director of the DIR and are based on data collected from surveys of wages paid to workers in similar trades and geographic areas. The rates vary depending on the type of work being performed, the location of the project, and the specific trade or classification of the worker.
• Department of Industrial Relations (DIR): The DIR is a state agency in California that is responsible for enforcing labor laws, including prevailing wage requirements. The DIR’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) oversees the enforcement of prevailing wage laws on public works projects.
• Prevailing wage is the hourly wage, including benefits and overtime, paid to the majority of workers within a particular area for a specific type of work. In government contracting, prevailing wage laws ensure that contractors and subcontractors pay their employees at least the prevailing wage rate set by the government for public works projects.

To find the list of hourly rates for professional services in California, you can refer to the DIR’s website, specifically their Prevailing Wage Determinations page, which provides the prevailing wage rates for various job classifications:

https://www.dir.ca.gov/OPRL/PWD

Here are the steps to access the prevailing wage rates for professional services:

1. Go to the above-mentioned link.
2. Click on the “Search for an Active Determination” button.
3. Select the appropriate determination period (for instance, “2022-1” or “2022-2”).
4. Choose the desired county from the dropdown list.
5. Select the craft or type of worker classification for which you want to find the prevailing wage rate (e.g., architect, engineer, surveyor, etc.).
6. Click “Search.”

You will then see the prevailing wage rate for the selected professional service in the specified county.

Keep in mind that this information is subject to change, so always refer to the latest determinations on the DIR website before entering into contracts or submitting bids for government projects. Additionally, be aware of any federal prevailing wage requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act if the project is federally funded or connected to federal funding.