California Prevailing Wage Project Cost Calculator
Estimate total labor costs for California public works projects subject to prevailing wage laws (Labor Code §1720 et seq.). Enter worker details, hours, and wage rates to calculate gross wages, fringe benefits, overtime premiums, and total employer cost.
Formulas Used
Base Wage Cost per Worker Type:
Wage Cost = Workers × Weeks ×
[ (Regular Hrs × 1.0 × Base Wage)
+ (Overtime Hrs × 1.5 × Base Wage)
+ (Double-Time Hrs × 2.0 × Base Wage) ]
Fringe Benefits:
Fringe Cost = Total All Hours × Fringe Rate ($/hr) Total All Hours = Workers × (Reg + OT + DT Hrs/wk) × Weeks
Gross Labor Cost:
Gross Labor Cost = Total Base Wages + Total Fringe Benefits
Employer Payroll Taxes:
Payroll Taxes = Total Base Wages × (Payroll Tax Rate / 100)
Total Project Labor Cost:
Total Cost = Gross Labor Cost + Payroll Taxes
Effective Cost per Hour:
Cost/hr = Total Project Labor Cost / Total All Hours
Assumptions & References
- California Labor Code §1720–1861 governs prevailing wage requirements on public works projects exceeding $1,000 (general) or $25,000 (new construction).
- Overtime rules (Labor Code §510): 1.5x for hours over 8/day or 40/week; 2.0x for hours over 12/day or all hours on the 7th consecutive day.
- Fringe benefits are paid at the straight-time rate on all hours worked, per DIR (Department of Industrial Relations) wage determinations. They are not multiplied by OT factors.
- Prevailing wage rates are set by the DIR and vary by craft, classification, and county. Look up current rates at dir.ca.gov/OPRL/PWD.
- Apprentice ratio: California requires a minimum apprentice-to-journeyman ratio (typically 1:5) under Labor Code §1777.5. Apprentice wages are typically 60–85% of journeyman rates depending on period of apprenticeship.
- Payroll taxes include employer FICA (7.65%), FUTA (0.6%), and California SUI (variable, ~3.4% for new employers). Fringe benefit contributions are generally excluded from taxable wages if paid to bona fide benefit plans.
- This calculator provides estimates only. Actual costs depend on specific DIR wage determinations, collective bargaining agreements, project classification, and county. Consult a licensed contractor or labor compliance consultant for binding figures.
- Workers' compensation insurance, general liability, equipment, and material costs are not included in this calculator.