Prevailing wage is the hourly rate, plus benefits, required by law to be paid for each trade or occupation while performing work on state-funded construction projects.
These projects can be highways, roads, wastewater treatment plants, JOBZ projects, public utilities, schools, parks and recreation improvements, or any other construction project funded in part or whole by state funds.
Minnesota's prevailing wage law (Minnesota Statutes 177.41 through 177.44) requires employees working on state-funded construction projects or other projects covered by law be paid wage rates comparable to wages paid for similar work in the area where the project is located.
Compilation of prevailing wage regulations in book format for purchase from Minnesota's Bookstore
Adopted rule amendments prevailing wage category descriptions for laborers and special crafts --
May 2, 2011
Commercial wage rates certified -- Dec. 24, 2012
Residential rates certified -- Oct. 1, 2012
Highway/heavy rates certified -- Oct. 29, 2012
For more information regarding prevailing wage and its application, contact:
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Prevailing Wage
443 Lafayette Road N.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 284-5091
Email: dli.prevwage@state.mn.us
2012 prevailing wage investigation results -- In 2012, the Department of Labor and Industry collected $878,000 in back wages on state-funded prevailing wage construction projects from 40 construction employers.
2012 summary of prevailing wage investigations (closed files)