Maryland prevailing wage

Who and what this applies to

Public work contracts within State Finance and Procurement Title 17, subtitle 2.

Thresholds and scope

General threshold is $250,000. The definition distinguishes State/State-unit coverage from the 25% State-funding test for political subdivisions and other entities.

The rules

• Section 17-201(j) includes the State, qualifying State units, entities with at least 25% State construction funding, subdivisions electing coverage with the prescribed ordinance/resolution and notice, and WSSC. It excludes otherwise-covered State instrumentalities funded wholly outside the State, subject to the WSSC exception; the public-work definition also has express exclusions. Source
• Contracts below $250,000 and federally funded portions already subject to the federal wage determination are generally excluded. Section 17-202 separately treats qualifying tax-increment-funded construction and mechanical-systems service contracts. Source
• Covered contractors/subcontractors pay at least prevailing straight-time wages and the prevailing overtime rate for hours over ten in a calendar day, over forty in a workweek, or on Sunday or a legal holiday. Source

Primary sources

• Md. State Finance and Procurement §17-201(j)-(l)
• Md. State Finance and Procurement §17-202
• Md. State Finance and Procurement §17-214

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

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