Whether prevailing wages apply depends on the state and the funding.
- Federally funded construction: the federal Davis-Bacon Act usually applies, wherever the project is.
- Texas: Government Code chapter 2258 requires workers on a political subdivision's public works, including county projects, to be paid at least the prevailing wage rate (maintenance work is exempt).
- Indiana and Iowa: Indiana repealed its state "common construction wage" law in 2015, and Iowa has no general state prevailing wage law, so state-funded county projects usually don't require them. Federal funding can still bring Davis-Bacon rules.
When prevailing wages apply, the bid documents include the wage rates, and you must pay them and submit certified payroll. Price your bid accordingly.