Which prevailing wage determination applies to the workers on a public works project?
Explanation
Labor Code §1773 has the Director determine rates by craft and locality, and the worker must be paid the determination in effect when the work is actually performed, which is why a determination with a later expiration date can raise the rate mid-project. The bid date matters for pricing the job but does not freeze the wage owed. Rates are local by design, so a rate published for another county is irrelevant. And an agency's budget figure binds nobody: the determination, not the estimate, sets the obligation.
Law Reference: Labor Code §1773; 8 CCR §16204This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
Practice all 1632 questions free — no signup required.
Own the complete CSLB Law & Business guide — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 →
Related questions on this topic
- A contractor on a public works project knowingly fails to employ apprentices in the required ratio. The most likely consequence is:
- On a public works project, a subcontractor who has stopped work serves a stop payment notice on the public entity. The notice must generally be served:
- The payment bond required on a public works contract over $25,000 must be issued by:
- Within how many days after award of a public works contract must the awarding body provide a project notice (DIR PWC-100 filing) identifying the project to the Department of Industrial Relations?
- Under Labor Code §1813, a contractor on a public work who requires a worker to labor more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week without proper overtime pay is subject to a statutory penalty of how much per worker per day of violation?
- A contractor who knowingly commits a second violation of apprenticeship requirements within a 3-year period under Labor Code §1777.7 may be debarred from bidding on public works for up to:
Last reviewed: · editorial process