Prevailing wage rates must be paid to workers on all public works projects in the state of Oregon.
How to find the correct prevailing wage rate
Use the following steps to find the correct prevailing wage rate(s) for your job:
Step 1: Find the date that the project was first advertised for bid
Generally, the rates in effect when the project was first advertised for bid will apply for the duration of the project. If the project uses a Construction Manager/General Contractor or is subject to the Federal Davis Bacon Act, the rates may be set differently. Contact the project's contracting agency or prime contractor to confirm the correct rates for the project. You can find more information in the Prevailing Wage Rate Laws Handbook.
Step 2: Figure out which county/region the work is being performed in
Step 3: Determine the duties that are being performed by each worker
Find the definition that most closely matches the actual work the employee is doing on the project: "Definitions of Covered Occupations for Public Works Contracts in Oregon." If you have any questions about these classifications, we are happy to help. Call us at
971-245-3844.
Step 4: Find prevailing wage rates for occupation(s) and region(s)
Once you have found the correct region and occupation(s), consult the rate book in effect when your project was first advertised for bid. Note: be sure to check as well for any amendments to those rates that became effective before your project was first advertised for bid. Amendments, corrections and our most recent rate books are all available online by
clicking here.
The rate is made up of an hourly base rate plus an hourly fringe rate. You must pay this combination to each worker for every hour worked.
You may take a credit toward fringe benefits that you already pay for your employees.
If the rate table directs you to “See Appendix,” use the rate listed in the Appendix document. This rate may include a group number, shift differential, hazard pay, and/or zone pay. These adjustments must be added to the base rate and included in overtime calculations.
Employ apprentices? You must pay apprentices the full fringe rate in regions where the appendix rate does not apply. However, if the book directs you to “See Appendix,” and the worker is registered in a bona fide apprenticeship program, contact us at 971-245-3844 for the applicable hourly fringe rate.
Projects subject to both state and federal laws
If your project is subject to both state and federal prevailing wage rates, you must pay the higher of the two. To find the correct rate of pay, find the correct state and federal rates and then compare the two.
Apprentices being paid the federal prevailing wage rate must be paid hourly fringe benefits in accordance with the provisions of the apprenticeship program. If the apprenticeship program does not specify fringe benefits, apprentices must be paid the full amount of hourly fringe benefits listed in the Davis-Bacon wage determination.
For assistance in finding the federal wage determination for the project, check with the project’s public agency. The federal wage determinations can also be found online at www.SAM.gov.
If you need help comparing the state and federal prevailing wage rates, call us at 971-245-3844.