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Connecticut General Statutes § 31-53 et seq. requires that workers on covered public works construction contracts be paid the prevailing wage for their trade classification and geographic area, as published by the CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards Division. — Source: CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards

Connecticut public works

Connecticut Prevailing Wage Guide

Connecticut's prevailing wage law (CGS § 31-53 et seq.) protects construction workers on public works projects by setting trade-specific minimum wages. Actual wage rates are published per trade and location by the CT DOL — this guide explains how the law works, how to find the correct rate, and how overtime is calculated.

Trade rates not shown here: Prevailing wage rates are published per trade, classification, and project by the Connecticut Department of Labor. This page explains the law and directs you to the official rate source. Always verify the rate in effect on the date of your project from the CT DOL directly.

Is your project covered?

Coverage under CGS § 31-53 applies to contracts for public works construction — building, heavy, highway, and residential work — awarded by the state or its political subdivisions. Contact the CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards Division to confirm whether a specific project meets the threshold and scope requirements. The current coverage thresholds are defined by statute and may be updated by the legislature.

How to find the correct prevailing wage rate

  1. Identify the trade classification for each worker (e.g., carpenter, electrician, laborer — each has its own schedule).
  2. Identify the project type (building, heavy/highway, residential).
  3. Request the current wage schedule from the CT DOL prevailing wage page for the specific county or project location.
  4. Confirm the schedule's effective date matches the period of work.

Overtime calculation formula

Prevailing wage overtime on public works is typically calculated as the base rate multiplied by 1.5, plus the full fringe benefit rate — not just 1.5 times the base rate alone. The fringe benefits (health insurance, pension, vacation, etc.) are paid at the straight-time rate even for overtime hours unless the wage schedule specifies otherwise.

Prevailing wage overtime formula

OT hourly pay = (base rate × 1.5) + fringe rate Example: base rate $40/hr, fringe $18/hr OT pay = ($40 × 1.5) + $18 = $60 + $18 = $78/hr

Publication schedule

Connecticut prevailing wage rates are updated periodically by the CT DOL. Rates are trade-specific; a single project may involve workers under multiple different wage schedules. Always verify the rate schedule in effect at the time work is performed, not the rate at the time of contract signing.

What this does not determine

Sources and verification

Rules are drawn from CGS § 31-53 et seq. (Connecticut General Assembly) and the CT DOL Wage and Workplace Standards Division prevailing wage page. Actual rates must be obtained directly from the CT DOL.