Prevailing wage in Minnesota

Who and what this applies to

Minnesota prevailing-wage obligations for public projects governed by section 177.43; state-highway contracts have the separate section 177.44 rules.

Thresholds and scope

Section 177.43 exempts estimated project costs below $2,500 for one trade or below $25,000 for more than one trade.

The rules

• Covered site laborers/mechanics receive at least the prevailing trade/area rate and 1.5 times the hourly basic rate for hours beyond prevailing hours; manufacturing and regular-establishment delivery exceptions have an express in-place aggregate-delivery qualification. Source
• Contracts must state the wage rates and require payroll copies within 14 days after each pay period. Rates are determined before bidding and posted at the project. Source
• Section 177.44 separately requires prevailing wages and overtime for covered state-highway contracts and is enforced by the Department of Transportation. Source

Primary sources

• Minn. Stat. §177.43 subds.1-2, 7
• Minn. Stat. §177.43 subds.3-4
• Minn. Stat. §177.44 subds.1, 7

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

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