The Prevailing Wage Law regulates the hours of labor, rates of pay, conditions of employment, obligations of employers, and the powers and duties of certain public officials under contracts and subcontracts for public works in Maryland. Coverage extends to any contract for public work in excess of $500,000 when State funds are used to provide 50% or more of the funds for the construction of any project, including construction of a public elementary or secondary school.

Wage Determinations:
A wage determination issued for a project specifies the wage and fringe benefit rates for each classification of worker, determined to prevailing in that locality for that type of construction. Wage Determinations are issued for each locality in the State (23 counties and Baltimore City) and are in effect for one year from the date on which they become final. The law requires employees on a public works contract to be paid overtime for hours in excess of 10 hours in a single day, and for work performed on a Sunday or a legal holiday.

Under Payments:
Contractors found to be paying wages below the prevailing wage rate may be fined $20 per day for each worker paid less than the established rate. Note: The maximum allowable ratio is one journeyman to one apprentice. All apprentices must be registered with the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program without exception

Certified Payroll Statements:
Contractors on State funded construction projects covered by the Prevailing Wage Law are required to submit certified payroll statements indicating proper worker classification and wage for both straight time and overtime work. Certified payrolls must be submitted to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry within 14 days after the end of the payroll period. Penalties for late submission of payrolls total $10 for each calendar day the records are late.

Mailing List:
The Prevailing Wage Unit is compiling a postal mailing list to keep contractors, contractor's associations, labor organizations and other interested parties up-to-date on prevailing wage information. The mailing list is also used to notify the above named groups when to voluntarily participate in the annual Prevailing Wage Rate Survey. The Commissioner encourages all interested groups to voluntarily submit data detailing wage rates paid to workers on various types of construction in all localities in Maryland. If you would like to be added to the list, please click on this link PWMAILINGLIST@dllr.state.md.us to send us an e-mail message or mail to: Prevailing Wage Unit, 1100 North Eutaw Street, RM 607, Baltimore MD 21201. Please include your name, the name of your company (if applicable), your complete mailing address, email address and telephone number in the body of the message, in order to be add to our mailing list.