Why Prevailing Wage Rates Matter: A Simple Guide for Employers [2025]

Contractor reviewing prevailing wage rates and labor compliance requirements for a government-funded construction project

  Government contracts require you to pay prevailing wage rates – and getting this wrong can cost your company thousands in penalties, fines, and back wages. Workers on public works projects must receive no less than the locally prevailing rate for their specific trade. This legal requirement affects construction companies nationwide. What exactly is prevailing […]