DOL Updates Construction Worker Wages

Posted September 15, 2023

On Aug. 8, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule that updates how wages for construction workers are calculated under the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) and Related Acts (DBRA). The final rule will be effective 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register.

Background

Under the DBA, employers must pay locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits on federal contracts for construction. The DBA applies to workers on contracts entered into by federal agencies and the District of Columbia if they are in excess of $2,000 and for the construction, alteration or repair of public buildings or public works.

The DBA’s prevailing wage requirement was subsequently incorporated into numerous statutes, collectively referred to as “Related Acts.” Under the DBRA, federal agencies must assist construction projects through grants, loans, loan guarantees, insurance and other methods.

On March 18, 2022, the DOL published a proposed rule to update DBRA provisions that regulate wage rates for federal and federally assisted construction projects. The proposal sought to modernize wage determinations and regulatory language to reflect current construction practices.

DBRA Updates

After reviewing public comments on the proposal, the DOL’s final rule updates the DBRA by:

  • Creating new efficiencies in the prevailing wage update system and making sure prevailing wage rates keep up with actual wages, which, over time, would mean higher wages for workers;
  • Returning to the definition of “prevailing wage” used from 1935 to 1983 to ensure prevailing wages reflect actual wages paid to workers in the local community;
  • Periodically updating prevailing wage rates to address out-of-date wage determinations;
  • Providing broader authority to adopt state or local wage determinations when certain criteria are met;
  • Issuing supplemental rates for key job classifications when no survey data exists;
  • Updating the regulatory language to better reflect modern construction practices; and
  • Strengthening worker protections and enforcement, including debarment and anti-retaliation provisions.

Impact on Employers

This final rule applies only to employers and contractors subject to the DBRA. Affected employers should review the final rule and prepare to comply with updated DBRA requirements as of the final rule’s effective date.