US Department of Labor seeks input from building, large-scale construction contractors to set prevailing wages, fringe benefits in Houston area

HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division encourages employers, stakeholders, and others in Southeast Texas’ building and heavy construction industries to help establish accurate prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits for workers on federally funded and assisted projects.

Required by federal law, the division is distributing an online survey that asks for information on wages paid for relevant construction projects from May 5, 2024, to Aug. 5, 2025. The areas covered include Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Chambers, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Polk, Robertson, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Waller, Washington, and Wharton counties. 

The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts require the department to set prevailing wage rates that reflect the actual wages and fringe benefits paid to construction workers where the work occurs. Survey responses help the division publish accurate prevailing wage and fringe benefit rates in these areas. The more complete the survey, the more accurate the determinations, which in turn saves contractors time by reducing their requests for additional labor classifications. The department encourages all industry employers and stakeholders, not limited to those working on federally funded or assisted construction projects, to participate with the most complete data possible.

The division strongly urges online survey completion by Aug. 29, 2025, and will send notification emails to interested parties and contractors known to the agency with directions on how to access and complete the survey. To receive more information or request a survey by mail or email, contact the division’s Davis-Bacon Survey Center at (202) 343-2005 or email Davisbaconinfo@dol.gov. 

Learn more about the surveys. 

To assist employers and other stakeholders in participating in the survey, the division is offering two online briefings on May 13 and 15 covering the process and instructions needed to complete surveys. Register now for a no-cost briefing.