Prevailing Wage

Prevailing Wage

In accordance with Allegheny County’s prevailing wage legislation (Chapter 280, Allegheny County Code of Ordinances) and the Davis-Bacon Act, the Controller’s Office monitors prevailing wage requirements on contractors that provide building and food services to Allegheny County. The Controller is also authorized to monitor all building service, food service, grocery and hotel contractors receiving County subsidies pay employees prevailing wages.

Which Projects Are Covered?

Projects covered include:

  • Those that receive at least $100,000 in subsidires from the County
  • Commercial office buildings of at least 100,000 square feet, or a commercial office complexes totaling at least 100,000 square feet
  • Residential buildings of at least 50 units;
  • Hotels or motels of at least 100,000 square feet, receiving a county subsidy
  • Grocery stores having retail space of at least 30,000 square feet, receiving county subsidy
  • Shopping malls of at least 100,000 square feet, receiving county subsidy; and
  • Sports stadiums of at least 100,000 square feet

How Is Prevailing Wage Determined?

Prevailing wage determinations are based on studying local wage conditions and considering three data sources of rate information:

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics Market Rates
  • Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ Collective Bargaining Agreements
  • Service Contract Act

What Is Required of Employers?

Record Keeping

To meet the requirements of the Prevailing Wage Ordinance, contractors/employers subject to such parameters, shall keep an accurate record showing the name, address, job classification, wages and benefits paid or provided, and numbers worked for each employee. This record shall be preserved for two (2) years from the date of final payment and shall be available for inspection by the County Controller or the Controller’s authorized agent at all reasonable hours.

File Federal Form WH-347 with the Controller

On a yearly basis, the covered employer shall file with the Controller or the Controller’s authorized agent, by January 31 of the following calendar year, the Federal Form WH-347

File Yearly Prevailing Wage Certifying Statement with the Controller

Every covered employer shall file a Prevailing Wage Certifying Statement, by January 31 of the following calendar year, with the Controller or the Controller’s authorized agent certifying that all workers have been paid no less than the wage required by their contact or, if any wages remain unpaid, set forth the amount of wages due and owing to each worker respectively, and certify that the job classification for each employee conforms with the work performed.

Post Information in Workplace

A covered employer shall post the provided documentin the job site, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the County Controller, along with the applicable prevailing wages for the job classifications, and a statement advising workers that if they have been paid less than the prevailing wage rate that they may contact the Controller and request an investigation.

Complaint Procedure

Any individual or organization may file a complaint with the County Controller for any violation of this section by directly calling the County Controller’s Office (412-350-4300).
Please fill out alternative form Click Here.

What Are The Current Rates In Allegheny County?