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PREVAILING WAGE

Maryland prevailing wage law

Whether Maryland 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.

Facts checked on October 6, 2026 against the official sources listed at the end of this page. For contractors and employers. General information, not legal advice: confirm the rules with the awarding body or the agency before you bid. Reviewed every year.

Prevailing wage in Maryland at a glance

State prevailing wage law
In forceMd. Code, State Fin. & Proc. §§ 17-201 to 17-226
Contract threshold
$250,000 or moreOther amounts for some work
Certified payroll
After each pay period
Federal work
Davis-Bacon, over $2,000

Maryland prevailing wage rules

The law
Maryland requires prevailing wages on public work contracts of $250,000 or more with State funding (State Finance and Procurement Title 17, Subtitle 2).Source: Maryland Code, State Finance and Procurement § 17-202 (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
Who it covers
The State and its units; a political subdivision or other entity when State money is 25% or more of the construction cost (school construction included); a political subdivision that opts in by ordinance or resolution; and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (§ 17-201).Source: Maryland Code, State Finance and Procurement § 17-201 (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
Threshold
Applies to projects of $250,000 or more where either a State unit contracts and there is any State funding, or a county or other political subdivision or entity contracts and the State funds 25% or more of the project, school construction included (§ 17-202 excludes contracts under $250,000). A mechanical systems service contract that is part of a public work contract is covered above the federal Service Contract Act threshold of $2,500 (§ 17-202(e)).Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage overview (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
Agency
Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry, Prevailing Wage Unit (opens in a new tab)Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage for Construction (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
Rates
Rate determinations (opens in a new tab)Wage determinations by county and craft, separately for building and highway work, issued by the Prevailing Wage Unit through its portal; each is in effect for one year from the date it becomes final.Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage overview (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
Certified payroll
Maryland Prevailing Wage portal (opens in a new tab)Certified payrolls are submitted electronically to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry within 14 days after the end of each payroll period; late records cost $10 a calendar day (Department of Labor; § 17-220 requires copies to the public body and the Commissioner).Filed with: the Commissioner of Labor and Industry, electronically, and the public body.Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage overview (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
Registration
Maryland Prevailing Wage portal (opens in a new tab)Contractors and subcontractors must register on the Prevailing Wage portal to enter certified payroll reports; this is a portal account, not a licence to bid.Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage for Construction (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026

Federally funded work in Maryland

On a project whose federal funding carries Davis-Bacon, the federal rules apply whatever the state law says. Whether Maryland'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 Maryland 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

Sources

The statute, agency page or federal rule behind each fact, as checked.

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.

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