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The Global Insight

Does Iowa have prevailing wages?

Author

Christopher Davis

Updated on March 21, 2026

While there is not a state Prevailing Wage law in Iowa, their public work projects fall under the federal Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) and are governed by the federal Department of Labor.

What is the local prevailing wage?

The prevailing wage rate is the basic hourly rate paid on public works projects to a majority of workers engaged in a particular craft, classification or type of work within the locality and in the nearest labor market area (if a majority of such workers are paid at a single rate).

What is a prevailing wage contribution?

Prevailing wage laws were originally put in place during the Great Depression to prevent unfair labor practices in non-union situations. By paying the wage portion in cash and the fringe portion through a contribution to a benefit plan; By a combination of the two methods.

What is a prevailing wage schedule?

A prevailing wage is the basic hourly rate of wages and benefits paid to a number of similarly employed workers in a given geography.

What state has the highest prevailing wage?

An excellent example is California, where the prevailing wage law significantly raises the cost incurred to contractors for quality labor….This Map Shows Where Construction Workers are Highest Paid (and How Much) in the U.S.

Top 10 highest wage statesAverage wage
Hawaii27.01
Illinois27.01

How much is prevailing wage in California?

Prevailing Wage Rate Example The Total Hourly Rate for a Laborer classification for Group 1 in Los Angeles County as determined by the Director in February of 2017 is $52.08 per hour straight time, $68.25 per hour overtime, and $84.42 per hour Sunday, Holidays and double time.

What is the difference between prevailing wage and certified payroll?

This ‘fair’ wage is known as the Prevailing Wage. Certified Payroll, on the other hand, is a form where information has to be provided about the prevailing wage and fringe benefits being paid to the workers. This form is provided to the governmental entities and is a reporting tool to ensure compliance.

What is the difference between prevailing wage and union wages?

In government contracting, a prevailing wage is defined as the hourly wage, usual benefits and overtime, paid to the majority of workers, laborers, and mechanics within a particular area. This is usually the union wage.

How is prevailing wage calculated?

Prevailing wage in an area can be determined by surveying local employers and calculating the wage by a simple average or, more accurately, by a weighted average, which weights the wage results by the number of employees.

Is prevailing wage always 100 vested?

Failure to Annualize Contributions Prevailing wage plans are subject to annualization unless employees are immediately eligible for contribu- tions and 100 percent vested.

What do you need to know about prevailing wage in Iowa?

The Iowa Wage Determination you are supposed to use for your job may be different than the one on the GPO website. As a result, you should ALWAYS refer to the bid spec to insure you are using the correct Wage Determination for your Prevailing Wage job in Iowa! Who determines the Davis-Bacon rates in Iowa?

What do you mean by prevailing wage rate?

The prevailing wage rate is defined as the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area of intended employment.

What are the prevailing wage rates in Illinois?

The Illinois Procurement Code requires prevailing wage payments to service employees performing work on STATE contracts. Currently calendar year rates for service employees are:

How to request a wage determination in Iowa?

In order to request a project wage determination you will need to complete a Standard Form 308 (SF-308) “Request for Determination and Response to Request” and send it to: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, Branch of Construction Wage Determinations, Washington D.C. 20210.