Prevailing wage in Washington

Who and what this applies to

Covered public works and public-building service-maintenance contracts of the state and its political subdivisions under RCW 39.12.020. The chapter excludes people regularly employed by those public bodies.

Thresholds and scope

RCW 39.12.020 states a wage requirement for covered work and a separate posting requirement for contracts exceeding $10,000; that posting amount is not stated here as a coverage exemption.

The rules

• Covered laborers, workers and mechanics must receive at least the prevailing hourly rate for the same trade or occupation in the locality where the work is performed. Source
• For a covered contract exceeding $10,000, the contractor must post an approved statement of intent to pay prevailing wages and the industrial statistician’s contact information where workers can see it. For the listed linear or road projects without a field office, the statute permits specified alternate posting locations and requires a copy for an employee on request. Source

Primary sources

• RCW 39.12.020: wages, posting, alternate locations and public-employee exclusion

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

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