PREVAILING WAGE

Massachusetts prevailing wage law

Whether Massachusetts 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 from the official sources listed at the end of this page; the oldest was read from an archived copy dated December 4, 2025. 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 Massachusetts at a glance

State prevailing wage law: In forceM.G.L. c. 149, §§ 26-27H
Contract threshold: No dollar threshold
Certified payroll: Weekly
Federal work: Davis-Bacon, over $2,000

Massachusetts prevailing wage rules

The law: Massachusetts requires prevailing wages on all public works construction, whatever its size (M.G.L. c. 149, §§ 26-27H).Source: Massachusetts General Laws c. 149, § 26 (opens in a new tab), read from an archived copy dated February 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Who it covers: Construction of public works by the Commonwealth, or by a county, town, authority or district, and by those contracting or subcontracting for such works (c. 149, § 26).Source: Massachusetts General Laws c. 149, § 26 (opens in a new tab), read from an archived copy dated February 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Threshold: No dollar threshold.Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Dollar Threshold Amount for Contract Coverage Under State Prevailing Wage Laws (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
Agency: Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS) (opens in a new tab)Source: Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, Prevailing Wage Program (opens in a new tab), read from an archived copy dated September 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Rates: Rate determinations (opens in a new tab)DLS issues a wage schedule for each project to the awarding authority (city, town, county, district, authority or state agency), which requests it before awarding the contract and each year after (c. 149, § 27).Source: Massachusetts DLS, Prevailing Wage Schedules (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
Certified payroll: During the project the contractor submits certified weekly payroll records, with the weekly statement of compliance, to the awarding authority by first class mail or email; DLS publishes the forms. Failing to submit can bring fines of up to $10,000 per occurrence.Filed with: the awarding authority (by first class mail or email).Source: Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Law for contractors (opens in a new tab), read from an archived copy dated December 4, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
Registration: Every bid on a public building contract subject to G.L. c. 149, § 44A must include a certificate of eligibility from the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) showing the bidder's classification and capacity rating; a bid without it is invalid (c. 149, § 44D).Source: Massachusetts General Laws c. 149, § 44D (opens in a new tab), read from an archived copy dated May 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Federally funded work in Massachusetts

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

Book a demo

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.

Your next payroll could be your first one on Worklio.

Book a demo See pricing