Prevailing wage in Virginia

Who and what this applies to

Public works covered by Virginia Code section 2.2-4321.3: qualifying state-agency contracts and contracts of localities that adopt the subsection (C) ordinance. The definition excludes specified nongovernmental broadband/telecommunications property, and subsection (E) excludes the identified DHCD/HDA housing-funding contracts.

Thresholds and scope

Subsection (N) excludes public-work contracts of $250,000 or less. The separate covered-higher-education rule in subsection (D) applies to contracts initiated after July 1, 2027, valued at least $5 million and paid partly or wholly from state general funds or state general-fund debt; it is not a current blanket rule for every higher-education contract.

The rules

• State agencies must include prevailing-wage requirements for mechanics, laborers and workers in covered public-work bids and contracts paid wholly or partly with state funds. A locality may adopt an ordinance imposing the requirement on covered work paid wholly or partly with locality funds. Source
• The Commissioner determines the prevailing rates under subsection (A), using surveys every three years; the rate cannot be below the federal Davis-Bacon rate, and the statutory method references 29 C.F.R. section 1.2 as of January 20, 2026. Source
• Covered contractors and subcontractors must post the applicable rates and effective changes in prominent accessible places and certify compliance to the Commissioner within ten days after posting under subsection (L). Source

Deadlines

Certify required rate posting to the Commissioner within ten days of posting under subsection (L).

Primary sources

• Virginia Code §2.2-4321.3(A)–(E), (L)–(N), current 2026 text

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

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