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| How To Determine The Correct Rate Of Pay |
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| Wage and Hour: Prevailing Wage |
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How to Determine the Correct Rate of Pay
To determine the correct rate of pay for workers on covered projects, agencies, contractors and subcontractors need to refer to one of the following booklets:
- Prevailing Wage Rates for Public Works Contracts in Oregon (state rates only), or
- Prevailing Wage Rates for Public Works Contracts in Oregon subject to BOTH the State PWR and Federal Davis-Bacon Act (comparison of the higher of federal and state rates).
Both prevailing wage rate booklets are published twice a year, usually in January and July. Amendments to the state rates are published quarterly, but amendments to the “Prevailing Wage Rates for Public Works Contracts in Oregon subject to BOTH the State PWR and Federal Davis-Bacon Act” booklet can be published at any time, depending on if and when the U.S. Department of Labor updates its rates. Both rate booklets and all amendments can be found on BOLI’s website at www.oregon.gov/boli. In addition, the most current Davis-Bacon Act wage rates can be found at www.wdol.gov.
Projects Subject to State Law Only
If a public works project exceeds $50,000 and uses no federal funds, or uses federal funds that do not require compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act, the project will be subject only to Oregon’s PWR law. To find the correct rate of pay on such a project, use the following steps:
1. When was the project first advertised for bid?
Generally, the rates in effect at the time the bid specifications are first advertised are those that
apply for the duration of the project.
2. What type of work is the worker performing?
Find the definition that most closely matches the actual work being performed by the worker.
If you have any questions about work classifications, contact BOLI at the number below.
3. Where is the work being performed – in which region?
Find the occupation in the correct region pages associated with the county where the project
construction is taking place.
4. Is there a rate listed next to the classification?
If so, use it. The rate is made up of an hourly base rate plus an hourly fringe rate. It is the
combination of the base rate plus the fringe rate that is due the worker on an hourly basis.
(See Computing the Allowable Hourly Credit for Fringe Benefit Contributions
for information on how to calculate allowable hourly credits for employer contributions
to benefit plans.)
5. If the book directs you to “See Appendix,” go to the back of the book and use the
rate listed in the Appendix pages. The rate is made up of an hourly base rate plus an
hourly fringe rate. It is the combination of the base rate plus the fringe rate that is due the
worker on an hourly basis. This rate may include a group number and/or zone pay.
Zone pay is added to the base rate.
6. Apprentices must be paid the full fringe rate in those 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, you may contact BOLI at (971) 673-0839 for the
applicable hourly fringe rate. These fringe rates are also posted on BOLI’s website at
www.oregon.gov/boli.
7. If you still need help, CALL BOLI at (971) 673-0839.
Projects Subject to State and Federal Laws
If a public works project exceeds $50,000 and uses federal funds that require compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act, the project will be subject to both the state and federal PWR laws. To find the correct rate of pay on such a project, use the following steps:
1. When was the project first advertised for bid?
Under state law, the rates in effect at the time the bid specifications are first advertised are
those that apply for the duration of the project. The Davis-Bacon Act uses a different method
to set the rates for the project. Check with the project’s public agency for any changes to the
federal rates that may have occurred after the bid specifications were advertised.
2. What type of work is the worker performing?
Find the definition that most closely matches the actual work being performed by the worker
If you have any questions about work classifications, contact BOLI at the number below.
3. Where is the work being performed – in which county?
Find the occupation in the correct county pages where the project construction is taking place.
4. Is there a rate listed next to the classification?
If so, use it. The rate is made up of an hourly base rate plus an hourly fringe rate. It is the
combination of the base rate plus the fringe rate that is due the worker on an hourly basis
(See Computing the Allowable Hourly Credit for Fringe Benefit Contributions for
information on how to calculate allowable hourly credits for employer contributions to benefit
plans.)
5. If the book directs you to “See Appendix-State,” go to the State Appendix in the
back of the book and use the rate listed. It may include a group number and/or zone
pay. Zone pay is added to the base rate.
Apprentices registered in a bona fide apprenticeship program may be paid less than the full
hourly fringe rate in some circumstances. You may contact BOLI at (971) 673-0839 for the
applicable hourly fringe rate for apprentices. These fringe rates are also posted on BOLI’s
website at www.oregon.gov/boli.
6. If the book directs you to “See Appendix-DB,” go to the Davis-Bacon Appendices in
the back of the book and use the rate listed. It may include a group number and/or zone
pay. Zone pay is added to the base rate.
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 Appendices.
7. If the book indicates “SAME,” you can use the rate from either the State Appendix
or the Davis-Bacon Appendices.
8. If you still need help, CALL BOLI at (971) 673-0839.
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