What Is a Davis-Bacon Wage Determination and How to Select the Right One for Your Project

🧾 What Is a Davis-Bacon Wage Determination?

This guide is designed for contracting agencies responsible for federally funded construction projects under Davis-Bacon requirements. It applies to General Wage Determinations, which are the most commonly used version in federally funded construction. Project Wage Determinations—used in rare or specialized cases—are not covered here.

A general wage determination is an official schedule of minimum hourly wages and fringe benefits that contractors must pay workers on federally funded construction projects. Issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, it ensures fair compensation based on:

• 📍 Location (usually county-level)

• 🏗️ Type of construction (building, residential, highway, or heavy)

• 💼 Job classification (e.g., electrician, laborer, operator)

These rates are required under the Davis-Bacon Act and must be physically included in bid packages and contracts. They guide how contractors complete WH-347 certified payroll forms, and help agencies monitor compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

💡 Applying the correct wage determination protects workers, prevents audit and monitoring findings, and keeps your project compliant from bid to closeout.

🧭 Selecting the Right Davis-Bacon Wage Determination

Selecting the right wage determination isn’t just a box to check—it’s a foundational compliance step that determines how workers are paid, how your contract is enforced, and whether you are compliant. Here’s how to apply it correctly:

1. Identify Your Project Location

• Go to SAM.gov

• Search by state and county where work will be performed

• Confirm the wage determination matches the physical site, not just the grantee's address

2. Match the Construction Type

The U.S. Department of Labor categorizes construction into four types:

	Definition
Building	Enclosed structures people enter (e.g., schools, offices, fire stations)
Residential	Homes and apartments up to four stories
Highway	Roads, streets, bridges, runways, and similar horizontal infrastructure
Heavy	Civil works like canals, water/sewer lines, dams, or drainage

💡 If your project combines types—like a fire station with substantial drainage—you may need multiple wage determinations.

3. Use the Most Current Version

• Wage determinations are modified often

• Always check for the latest modification number and publication date

• Include the determination directly in your bid specs and contractor agreements

4. Document Your Selection

• Agencies should retain internal records showing how the wage determination was selected

• Include construction type, geographic scope, SAM.gov results, and any correspondence with DOL or the funding agency such as HUD

• Helps justify choices during monitoring or audits

If you have questions about Davis-Bacon Compliance, please contact our compliance team:

• Jeanne Burke – jburke@artovia.com

• Valerie Kennedy – vkennedy@artovia.com

You can also reach either of them by phone at 985-900-2320.

In a future post, we’ll break down how to handle general wage determination modifications—both before bid opening (including the 10-day rule) and after contract award, such as with change orders or extensions. We’ll also detail exactly what must be included in bid packages and construction contracts to ensure full Davis-Bacon compliance.

Learn more about ARTOVIA’s Davis-Bacon Compliance services and expertise on our Davis-Bacon Compliance page.