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Missouri's Prevailing Wage Law requires that workers on public works construction projects exceeding $75,000 be paid the prevailing wage rate for their trade classification and county, as established in annual wage orders published by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. — Source: Missouri Dept. of Labor — Prevailing Wage

Missouri public works

Missouri Prevailing Wage Guide

Missouri's Prevailing Wage Law covers public works construction contracts over $75,000. Annual wage orders published by the Missouri Department of Labor set trade-specific minimum wages by county. This guide covers coverage thresholds, 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 county in annual Missouri wage orders. Always obtain the current wage order from the Missouri Department of Labor before beginning work.

Coverage threshold — $75,000

Missouri's Prevailing Wage Law applies to public works construction contracts with a total value exceeding $75,000. Public works includes construction, reconstruction, repair, alteration, and improvement of any public project. Contact the Missouri Division of Labor Standards to confirm coverage for a specific project.

How to find the correct rate

  1. Identify the county where work will be performed.
  2. Identify the trade classification (carpenter, electrician, laborer, etc.).
  3. Access the annual wage order from the Missouri Department of Labor prevailing wage page.
  4. Confirm the wage order's effective year covers the period of work.

Overtime calculation formula

Missouri prevailing wage overtime is calculated at 1.5 times the base wage rate plus the fringe benefit rate. The fringe (health, pension, vacation, training) is paid at straight time even during overtime hours, unless the annual wage order specifies a different fringe rate for overtime.

Prevailing wage overtime formula

OT pay = (base rate × 1.5) + fringe rate Example: base $36/hr, fringe $14/hr OT pay = ($36 × 1.5) + $14 = $54 + $14 = $68/hr

Annual wage order update

Missouri prevailing wage rates are updated annually. New wage orders take effect on a schedule set by the Division of Labor Standards. Contractors on multi-year projects must check whether the annual wage order has changed and apply the current rate for each pay period.

What this does not determine

Sources and verification

Rules are drawn from the Missouri Prevailing Wage Law (RSMo Chapter 290, §§ 290.210–290.340) and the Missouri Division of Labor Standards prevailing wage page. Actual rates must be obtained directly from the Missouri Department of Labor.