Maine prevailing wage law
Whether Maine 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 Maine at a glance
- State prevailing wage law
- In force26 M.R.S. §§ 1304-1315
- Contract threshold
- $50,000 or more
- Certified payroll
- Monthly
- Federal work
- Davis-Bacon, over $2,000
Maine prevailing wage rules
- The law
- Maine requires a fair minimum rate of wages and benefits on state-funded public works contracts of $50,000 or more (26 M.R.S. §§ 1304-1315).Source: 26 M.R.S. § 1304, Definitions (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Who it covers
- Construction let to contract by a public authority (the Maine Turnpike Authority or a State officer, board, commission or agency supported by State funds) on public works funded in whole or in part by State funds; public works include public schools. Since 2023 it also covers 'assisted' energy projects of 2 megawatts or more that receive State assistance.Source: 26 M.R.S. § 1304, Definitions (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Threshold
- Applies to public works funded in whole or in part by State funds whose contract amounts to $50,000 or more (26 M.R.S. § 1304(8)).Source: 26 M.R.S. § 1304, Definitions (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Agency
- Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards (opens in a new tab)Source: Maine Department of Labor, Construction Prevailing Wage Rates (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Rates
- Rate determinations (opens in a new tab)Construction prevailing wage rates set by the Bureau of Labor Standards each year by region (2026 rates effective January 10, 2026); the public authority attaches the schedule to the bid documents (§ 1306).Source: Maine Department of Labor, Construction Prevailing Wage Rates (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Certified payroll
- The contractor and each subcontractor keep a record of every worker's hours, job, rate and pay at the job site and file a copy monthly with the public authority that let the contract (26 M.R.S. § 1311).Filed with: the public authority that let the contract (or the State agency assisting an assisted project).Source: 26 M.R.S. § 1311, Wage and benefit record of contractor (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Registration
- Not confirmed
Not confirmed: no official source settled it on the check date, so none is shown.
Federally funded work in Maine
On a project whose federal funding carries Davis-Bacon, the federal rules apply whatever the state law says. Whether Maine'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 Maine 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
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- 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.
- 26 M.R.S. § 1304, Definitions (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- Maine Department of Labor, Construction Prevailing Wage Rates (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
- 26 M.R.S. § 1311, Wage and benefit record of contractor (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.