Prevailing Wage Rates

The prevailing wage rate is the rate paid for comparable work in the private sector within the County. If a project is deemed to fall under the prevailing wage law, the prevailing wage rates apply to employees of the prime contractor and any and all subcontractors.

The County’s wage determinations are subject to the State of Maryland wage determination rates specified for Baltimore County for highway construction and/or building construction. For job classifications not listed, vendors will be required to request a rate determination with the Request for Additional Wage Rates(link is external) from the Maryland Division of Labor and Industry(link is external). In the event of a conflict between the County prevailing wage and local hiring statutes, the statute shall control.

HOW WAGE RATES ARE DETERMINED

The State of Maryland Commissioner of Labor and Industry conducts an annual wage survey for all work classifications among construction contractors across the state. From this data, the state develops the prevailing wage to be paid for each work classification and project type for each county. Baltimore County utilizes the prevailing wage rates specified in the schedule generated as a result of this survey. 

WHERE TO FIND RATES FOR PARTICULAR JOBS

The law requires that the prevailing wage rates be posted in a prominent and easily accessible place at the worksite during the entire time work is being performed. It must be posted in English and any other language that is primarily spoken by the employees at the worksite.

OVERTIME

Under the County law, overtime is paid in any one of three instances:

  • Work more than eight hours in any single calendar day
  • Work more than 40 hours in a work week
  • Work on a Sunday or a legal holiday

UNION STATUS

All employees performing work on a construction project that falls under the County's prevailing wage law are entitled to the prevailing wage, regardless of union or non-union status.