Connecticut prevailing wage law
Whether Connecticut requires prevailing wages on public construction, from what contract size, who sets the rates, and what contractors file. Each fact links its official source and the date it was checked.
Prevailing wage in Connecticut at a glance
- State prevailing wage law
- In forceConn. Gen. Stat. § 31-53
- Contract threshold
- $1,000,000 or moreOther amounts for some work
- Certified payroll
- Monthly
- Federal work
- Davis-Bacon, over $2,000
Connecticut prevailing wage rules
- The law
- Connecticut requires prevailing wages on public works projects of the state or a political subdivision: new construction of $1 million or more and remodeling, alteration or repair of $100,000 or more (CGS 31-53).Source: Connecticut General Statutes chapter 557 (§ 31-53) (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Who it covers
- Construction, remodeling, refinishing, refurbishing, rehabilitation, alteration or repair of any public works project by the state or its agents, or by any political subdivision of the state or its agents (CGS 31-53(a)).Source: Connecticut General Statutes chapter 557 (§ 31-53) (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Threshold
- Does not apply where the combined total cost or total bond authorization of all work by all contractors and subcontractors is less than $1 million for new construction, or where the combined total cost is less than $100,000 for remodeling, refinishing, refurbishing, rehabilitation, alteration or repair (CGS 31-53(h)).Source: Connecticut General Statutes chapter 557 (§ 31-53) (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Agency
- Connecticut Department of Labor, Wage and Workplace Standards Division (opens in a new tab)Source: Connecticut Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage Information (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Rates
- Rate determinations (opens in a new tab)Building, heavy/highway and residential rate schedules, adjusted every July 1; the contracting agency requests the project's rates with the department's rate request form.Source: Connecticut Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage Information (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Certified payroll
- Each employer submits monthly to the contracting agency a certified payroll: a complete copy of its payroll records with a signed statement of compliance. Failing to file is a class D felony (CGS 31-53(f)).Filed with: the contracting agency (by mail, email or another method it accepts).Source: Connecticut General Statutes chapter 557 (§ 31-53) (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Registration
- A contract for a public building or other public work estimated to cost more than $1 million, let by the state or by a public agency with state funds, goes only to a bidder prequalified by the Department of Administrative Services (CGS 4b-91, 4a-100); Department of Transportation projects and DAS-administered projects of $1.5 million or less are excepted. CGS 31-53 itself has no contractor registration.Source: Connecticut General Statutes § 4b-91 (chapter 60) (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
Federally funded work in Connecticut
On a project whose federal funding carries Davis-Bacon, the federal rules apply whatever the state law says. Whether Connecticut's own law applies as well is in its coverage above: some state laws leave federally funded projects out.
- Davis-Bacon
- Federal Davis-Bacon labor standards apply to contracts over $2,000 for the construction, alteration or repair of public buildings or public works, or of work financed with federal funds under a law that requires Davis-Bacon, one of the Related Acts (29 CFR 5.5(a)).Source: 29 CFR 5.5, Contract provisions and related matters (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Certified payroll
- On Davis-Bacon work, each contractor and subcontractor submits certified payrolls weekly, for each week of covered work; the prime contractor is responsible for its subcontractors' payrolls (29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(ii)(A)).Source: 29 CFR 5.5, Contract provisions and related matters (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
More for Connecticut contractors
WORKLIO HCM
Prevailing wage and certified payroll in Worklio HCM
Set up prevailing wage rates by project, location and classification: your team assigns each worker's classification and apprentice step, and payroll applies the rates. Fringe benefits are calculated as cash or plan contributions, union dues and benefit packages are deducted with remittance reports by local, apprentices are paid at progressive rates by level, and WH-347 certified payroll reports carry job costing segments. Workers' comp class codes are set per job and employee. Union, prevailing wage, and certified payroll is available as an add-on to any plan.
See the union, prevailing wage, and certified payroll add-on
Prevailing wage in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
The statute, agency page or federal rule behind each fact, as checked.
- Connecticut General Statutes chapter 557 (§ 31-53) (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Connecticut Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage Information (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Connecticut General Statutes § 4b-91 (chapter 60) (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- 29 CFR 5.5, Contract provisions and related matters (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the relevant agency or your advisor. You remain responsible for paying the required rates and filing on time.