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New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25 et seq.) requires that workers on public works contracts be paid the prevailing wage for their trade and locality, as established by the NJ DOL Commissioner; certified payroll records must be submitted through NJWageHub. — Source: NJ DOL Prevailing Wage

New Jersey public works

New Jersey Prevailing Wage Guide

New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25 et seq.) covers public works contracts and sets trade-specific wage minimums by locality. The NJ DOL Commissioner establishes rates annually. Contractors must submit certified payroll through NJWageHub. This guide covers 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 locality by the NJ DOL Commissioner. Always obtain the current wage determination before beginning work.

Is your project covered?

The NJ Prevailing Wage Act applies to construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, or repair of public works undertaken by the state, county, municipality, school district, or other public body. Coverage thresholds and project types are defined under N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25. Contact the NJ DOL Prevailing Wage unit to confirm coverage for a specific project.

How to find the correct rate

  1. Identify the trade classification (carpenter, electrician, plumber, laborer, etc.).
  2. Identify the project locality (county).
  3. Access the current wage determination from the NJ DOL prevailing wage page.
  4. Confirm the determination's effective dates match the period of work.

NJWageHub — certified payroll requirement

New Jersey requires contractors on prevailing wage projects to submit certified payroll records electronically through NJWageHub. Failure to submit certified payroll records is a violation of the Prevailing Wage Act and can result in debarment. Subcontractors are also required to submit certified payroll through the same system.

Overtime calculation formula

New Jersey prevailing wage overtime is calculated at 1.5 times the base rate plus the fringe benefit rate. The fringe covers health, pension, vacation, and training contributions at the straight-time rate for overtime hours.

Prevailing wage overtime formula

OT pay = (base rate × 1.5) + fringe rate Example: base $44/hr, fringe $19/hr OT pay = ($44 × 1.5) + $19 = $66 + $19 = $85/hr

What this does not determine

Sources and verification

Rules are drawn from N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25 et seq. (New Jersey Legislature) and the NJ DOL Prevailing Wage page. Actual rates and NJWageHub access are available from the NJ DOL.