Tennessee prevailing wage
Tennessee prevailing wage vs Davis-Bacon
Tennessee has a state prevailing wage law with a coverage threshold of $50,000, but only for highway construction. See how it interacts with federal Davis-Bacon and which rate governs when both apply.
Does Tennessee have a prevailing wage law?
Yes. Tennessee has a state prevailing wage law (a "Little Davis-Bacon" law) covering state and local public works, with a coverage threshold of $50,000, but only for highway construction.
Coverage threshold
Under Tennessee's prevailing wage law, coverage generally starts at $50,000, but only for highway construction (per the U.S. Department of Labor's state threshold table). Tennessee's prevailing wage applies only to highway construction. There is no prevailing wage on non-highway public construction.
Which governs when Davis-Bacon and Tennessee prevailing wage both apply
Neither law cancels the other. On a project covered by both federal Davis-Bacon (through federal funding or a Davis-Bacon Related Act) and the state prevailing wage law, the contractor must pay, for each labor classification, the higher of the federal Davis-Bacon rate and the state prevailing wage rate. Track both schedules and price the higher total hourly obligation.
Guardrail
This page is an estimator aid, not an official determination. Confirm the wage determination incorporated into the contract and any state schedule named by the owner before submitting a bid.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does Tennessee have a prevailing wage law in 2026?
Yes. Tennessee maintains a state prevailing wage law for public works, with a coverage threshold of $50,000, but only for highway construction.
What is the Tennessee prevailing wage coverage threshold?
Coverage generally begins at $50,000, but only for highway construction. Tennessee's prevailing wage applies only to highway construction. There is no prevailing wage on non-highway public construction.
Does Davis-Bacon or Tennessee prevailing wage govern when both apply?
Neither law cancels the other. On a project covered by both federal Davis-Bacon (through federal funding or a Davis-Bacon Related Act) and the state prevailing wage law, the contractor must pay, for each labor classification, the higher of the federal Davis-Bacon rate and the state prevailing wage rate. Track both schedules and price the higher total hourly obligation.
Official sources