Question: How are Davis-Bacon wage surveys conducted?

Answer: Section 1.3 of 29 CFR Part 1 prescribes that the Wage and Hour Administrator conduct a continuing program for the obtaining and compiling of wage rate information and encourage the voluntary submission of wage data by contractors, contractor associations, labor organizations, public officials and other interested parties, reflecting wage rates paid laborers and mechanics on various types of construction in the area.

Wage rates are issued for each classification of laborer and mechanic that will likely be employed in federally funded or assisted construction in a certain type of construction dependent upon wage data submissions. Information on wages being paid, therefore, must be collected and tabulated on the basis of distinct job classification and construction categories. Data requested includes the contractor’s name and address, project description and location, value of project, starting and completion dates, the peak number of workers employed in each classification (i.e. carpenters, drywall hangers, electricians, laborers, etc.), and the wage rates including bona fide fringes, paid each worker.