The 1945 Washington State Public Works Act, also known as the prevailing wage law, is a worker protection act. It requires workers be paid prevailing wages when employed on public works projects, public building service contracts and certain work involving public contracts to rent, lease or purchase private buildings.
Prevailing Wages on Pierce County Projects
The Contract Compliance Office works to ensure that correct prevailing wage rates are paid to workers employed on public works projects as required by RCW 39.12. Prevailing wage rates are determined by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries for state and locally funded projects. Federally-funded public works projects are subject to Federal Wage Rates established by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act. Projects funded with both local and federal funds are required to pay the higher of the two wage rates.
If you have any questions regarding the type of funding or wage rates required on any Pierce County project requiring prevailing wages, please contact the Contract Compliance Office.
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