The NYC Comptroller publishes wage schedules that run dozens of pages. For the uninitiated, the columns of numbers look interchangeable. This guide breaks down every field so you can extract exactly what you need for a bid or a compliance audit.
New York maintains two parallel prevailing wage systems, each governed by a different article of the Labor Law:
WageHound aggregates both schedules into a single searchable interface so you can compare the two side-by-side for any trade and classification.
Every entry in the schedule represents a specific combination of trade, job classification, and effective date. Here is what each field means:
The craft category — e.g., Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter, Laborer. A single trade can have dozens of local unions, each with their own CBA-negotiated rates. The schedule lists rates by trade, not by union name.
The seniority or specialty tier within a trade. Common classifications include Apprentice (typically expressed as a percentage of Journeyman rate), Journeyman/Journeyperson, Foreman, General Foreman, and Master. Each classification carries its own rate — misclassifying a Foreman as a Journeyman is one of the most common compliance errors.
The straight-time hourly wage paid directly to the worker in their paycheck. This is the number most people focus on, but it is only part of the total cost. Overtime is typically calculated at 1.5× the base rate, with double-time on Sundays and holidays per the applicable CBA.
The schedule breaks out supplemental benefit contributions that must be paid in addition to the base wage. These are employer contributions — the worker does not receive them as cash. Each line item below is a required per-hour contribution:
Base Rate + all fringe benefit contributions. This is the true per-hour employer cost before FICA, workers' compensation, or general liability insurance. Use the WageHound Labor Burden Calculator to add those on-costs and arrive at a fully burdened rate.
The date from which the rate applies. NYC prevailing wage rates are typically updated annually on July 1 for most trades. Always verify that the rate you are using is the current one — WageHound displays only the most recent rate per classification.
| Factor | Article 8 (Comptroller) | Article 9 (NYSDOL) |
|---|---|---|
| Governing body | NYC Comptroller | NY State Dept. of Labor |
| Applies to | City-funded public work | Publicly assisted building service |
| Rate authority | §220 of NY Labor Law | §230 of NY Labor Law |
| Update cycle | Typically July 1 annually | Varies by occupation |
| Enforcement | NYC Comptroller Bureau of Labor Law | NYSDOL Division of Labor Standards |
| Penalty for violation | Back pay + interest + debarment risk | Back pay + civil penalty |