The prevailing wage rate is the basic hourly rate paid on public works projects to a majority of workers engaged in a particular craft, classification, or type of work within the locality and in the nearest labor market area (if a majority of such workers are paid at a single rate). The prevailing wage rates are usually based on rates specified in collective bargaining agreements. Prevailing wages must be paid to all workers employed on a public works project when the public works project is more than $1,000. If an awarding body has a labor compliance program, prevailing wages are not required to be paid for any public works. California law requires that not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages be paid to all workers employed on a public works project. Prevailing wages are not the same as the state’s minimum wage. While minimum wage applies to all nonexempt employees who take on an hourly position, prevailing wages are only applicable when trade workers are hired to assist in the construction of a public works project. The most common prevailing wage violations on public works projects are failing to pay workers at the correct rate for their trade classification, failing to provide workers fringe benefits or payment in lieu thereof, failing to pay workers for all hours worked on the public works projects, and demanding that workers pay wages back to their employer (i.e., kickbacks). To find the prevailing wages for a specific craft, one needs to visit the Department of Industrial Relations website and input the specific county, which will then give the current prevailing wages for trades in that area in 2023.