Virginia prevailing wage
Virginia prevailing wage vs Davis-Bacon
Virginia has a state prevailing wage law with a coverage threshold of $250,000 for state agency projects with any state funding. See how it interacts with federal Davis-Bacon and which rate governs when both apply.
Does Virginia have a prevailing wage law?
Yes. Virginia has a state prevailing wage law (a "Little Davis-Bacon" law) covering state and local public works, with a coverage threshold of $250,000 for state agency projects with any state funding.
Coverage threshold
Under Virginia's prevailing wage law, coverage generally starts at $250,000 for state agency projects with any state funding (per the U.S. Department of Labor's state threshold table). Virginia enacted its prevailing wage law in 2020 (effective May 1, 2021). It applies at $250,000 or more when the contracting public body is a unit or instrumentality of the State with any State funding, or where a locality has adopted a prevailing-wage ordinance.
Which governs when Davis-Bacon and Virginia 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 Virginia have a prevailing wage law in 2026?
Yes. Virginia maintains a state prevailing wage law for public works, with a coverage threshold of $250,000 for state agency projects with any state funding.
What is the Virginia prevailing wage coverage threshold?
Coverage generally begins at $250,000 for state agency projects with any state funding. Virginia enacted its prevailing wage law in 2020 (effective May 1, 2021). It applies at $250,000 or more when the contracting public body is a unit or instrumentality of the State with any State funding, or where a locality has adopted a prevailing-wage ordinance.
Does Davis-Bacon or Virginia 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