Federal highway construction contractors and project owners in West Virginia have an opportunity to help shape future prevailing wage determinations through a statewide wage survey launched by the U.S. Department of Labor. The information collected will support wage rate updates used on federally funded and federally assisted highway construction projects across the state.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is seeking wage and fringe benefit information from contractors and other industry participants involved in highway construction projects completed in West Virginia between Aug. 3, 2025, and Nov. 2, 2026. The survey is not limited to federally funded work and includes qualifying highway construction projects performed throughout the state.
The agency will begin collecting responses on Aug. 3, 2026, and will accept submissions through Nov. 2, 2026. Contractors known to the agency will receive email notifications with instructions for completing the survey online, although participation is open to all eligible contractors and interested stakeholders regardless of whether they receive a notification.
Information gathered through the survey will be used to establish prevailing wage and fringe benefit rates required under the Davis-Bacon Act and Related Acts. These wage determinations apply to construction workers performing work on federally funded and federally assisted construction projects.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, comprehensive wage data helps produce county-specific prevailing wage determinations that reflect actual compensation paid within the local market. Accurate wage determinations can also reduce the need for contractors to request additional labor classifications during project execution.
To assist participants, the Wage and Hour Division will host two free online briefings on Aug. 4 and Aug. 6, 2026. The sessions will explain the survey process and provide guidance on completing the required forms.
Prevailing wage determinations directly influence labor costs and compliance requirements for federally funded transportation projects. For construction owners, general contractors and subcontractors pursuing federal highway work in West Virginia, participation in the survey can improve the accuracy of wage determinations used during procurement and project delivery. Reliable wage data also supports more consistent bidding, contract administration and workforce planning across the state's highway construction sector.
Source: U.S. Department Of Labor.
