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Maine Title 26, Chapter 15 requires that workers on covered state public works construction contracts be paid the prevailing wage for their trade and classification; rates are published by the Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards at maine.gov/labor. — Source: Maine DOL Bureau of Labor Standards

Maine public works

Maine Prevailing Wage Guide

Maine's prevailing wage law (26 M.R.S. ch. 15) protects construction workers on state public works contracts. Trade-specific wage schedules are published by the Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards. This guide explains how the law works and how to find and apply the correct rates.

Trade rates not shown here: Prevailing wage rates are published per trade and classification by the Maine Department of Labor. Always obtain the current wage determination from the Maine DOL before beginning work.

Is your project covered?

Maine's prevailing wage requirement applies to state public works construction contracts meeting the coverage threshold under 26 M.R.S. ch. 15. Contact the Maine DOL Bureau of Labor Standards to confirm whether a specific project is covered. Coverage depends on the project value, funding source, and contract type.

How to find the correct rate

  1. Identify the trade or craft classification for each worker.
  2. Identify the project type (building, heavy, highway, or residential).
  3. Access the current wage schedules through the Maine DOL Bureau of Labor Standards wage and hour page.
  4. Confirm the schedule's effective dates match the period of work.

Overtime calculation formula

Maine prevailing wage overtime is calculated at 1.5 times the base trade rate plus the full fringe benefit amount. Fringe benefits are paid at the straight-time rate even on overtime hours, unless the applicable wage determination specifies otherwise.

Prevailing wage overtime formula

OT pay = (base rate × 1.5) + fringe rate Example: base $38/hr, fringe $15/hr OT pay = ($38 × 1.5) + $15 = $57 + $15 = $72/hr

What this does not determine

Sources and verification

Rules are drawn from 26 M.R.S. ch. 15 (Maine Legislature) and the Maine DOL Bureau of Labor Standards wage and hour page. Actual rates must be obtained directly from the Maine DOL.