At a Glance
Quick Answer
Arkansas does not have a state prevailing wage law. Federal Davis-Bacon Act still applies to federally funded construction projects over $2,000.
Arkansas repealed its state prevailing wage law in 2017. Only federally funded construction projects are subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements in the state.
Context
Prevailing Wage & Bidding in Arkansas
Arkansas repealed its state prevailing wage law in 2017, joining a wave of repeals that year. Before repeal, the Arkansas Department of Labor administered the program, but today there is no state prevailing wage floor on state, county, or municipal construction. Estimators bidding work funded solely with state or local dollars can price labor at market rates and do not face a state certified-payroll obligation. That lower compliance burden is a real cost advantage to recognize when you build a number for locally funded public work or private projects.
Federal Davis-Bacon requirements remain fully in force on any Arkansas project carrying federal funding above the $2,000 threshold. On those contracts you must pay the federal prevailing wage and fringe rates for the relevant county and trade classification and submit weekly certified payroll records to the contracting agency. This is common on federal-aid highway projects, military installations, and HUD-assisted developments. The wage determination attached to the solicitation is binding, so incorporate those rates into your labor estimate before submitting.
The key estimating risk in Arkansas is the mixed-funding project that looks local but carries federal assistance. Because the state repeal removed the state program, contractors can grow accustomed to market-rate labor pricing and overlook Davis-Bacon when federal money enters the picture. Review every solicitation for references to federal funds and an incorporated wage determination. Bidding a covered federal job at market labor rates exposes you to back-wage liability, withheld progress payments, and possible debarment, so confirm the funding source before you commit your price.
Details
Coverage Details
State Status
- Law
- Repealed in 2017
- Agency
- N/A — State law repealed
- Certified Payroll
- Not required at state level
Federal Davis-Bacon Coverage
The federal Davis-Bacon Act applies to all federally funded or federally assisted construction contracts over $2,000 in Arkansas. This includes projects funded by federal agencies, FHWA highway projects, HUD housing, and projects receiving federal grants.
Reference
Key Facts
State prevailing wage law repealed in 2017
Federal Davis-Bacon Act still applies to federally funded projects over $2,000
Prior to repeal, the Arkansas Department of Labor administered the prevailing wage program
Contractors on federal projects must still submit certified payroll records
Enforcement
Penalties
Federal Davis-Bacon penalties apply to federally funded projects only.
Resources
Related Tools & Templates
Turn wage rules into bid-ready alerts
Use ConstructionBids.ai to track matching public projects, save bid searches, and move wage-sensitive scopes into your estimating workflow.
FAQ
Questions Contractors Ask
Does Arkansas have a prevailing wage law?
No. Arkansas does not have a state prevailing wage law. Arkansas repealed its state prevailing wage law in 2017. Only federally funded construction projects are subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements in the state.
Does Davis-Bacon apply in Arkansas?
Yes. The federal Davis-Bacon Act applies to all federally funded construction projects over $2,000 in Arkansas, regardless of state law. Contractors must pay the prevailing wage rate determined by the DOL for the project location.
Is certified payroll required in Arkansas?
Arkansas does not have a state-level certified payroll requirement. However, certified payroll (WH-347) is still required on any federal Davis-Bacon project in the state.
What are the penalties for prevailing wage violations in Arkansas?
Federal Davis-Bacon penalties apply to federally funded projects only.
Is there a state prevailing wage in Arkansas?
Not since 2017, when Arkansas repealed its prevailing wage law. State, county, and municipal projects now carry no state wage floor, and contractors price labor at market rates. Federally funded construction still falls under the federal Davis-Bacon Act above the $2,000 threshold.
Who used to administer Arkansas prevailing wage before repeal?
Before the 2017 repeal, the Arkansas Department of Labor administered the state prevailing wage program. That program no longer exists, so the only prevailing wage obligations contractors face today come from federal Davis-Bacon requirements on federally funded projects.
How do I know if a Arkansas project triggers Davis-Bacon?
Check the solicitation for federal-funding language and any incorporated wage determination. If federal money exceeds $2,000 on the project, Davis-Bacon rates and weekly certified payroll apply. Mixed-funding jobs that look local but carry federal assistance are the most common trap for estimators.