Prevailing wage in Vermont

Who and what this applies to

Construction contracts covered by 29 V.S.A. section 161(b). Subsection (d) excludes maintenance or construction projects carried out by the Agency of Transportation and the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation from subsections (a)–(c).

Thresholds and scope

Covered categories are state projects with construction cost exceeding $100,000; projects exceeding $200,000 that are authorized and at least 50% funded by a capital construction act under 32 V.S.A. section 701a; and projects exceeding $200,000 at least 50% funded by the Cash Fund for Capital and Essential Investments under 32 V.S.A. section 1001b.

The rules

• Each covered contract must require construction employees to receive at least the Vermont Department of Labor’s published mean prevailing wage plus an additional fringe benefit equal to 42.5% of wage, as calculated by the current Vermont prevailing-wage survey. Source
• The statutory fringe-benefit definition includes paid leave, employer health-insurance contributions or reimbursements, retirement benefits and similar incidents of employment. The agency/project exclusions in subsection (d) remain part of the coverage rule. Source

Primary sources

• 29 V.S.A. §161(b) and (d)

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

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