SCA Wage Determinations: How to Find and Apply Them

Jun 14, 2026

Service Contract Act wage determinations are similar in structure to Davis-Bacon WDs, but organized differently — by occupation title rather than craft classification. Here's how to find and apply them.

Finding the Right SCA WD

SCA WDs are issued by county and occupation group. The contracting agency is required to obtain and incorporate the applicable SCA WD in the solicitation. Browse SCA determinations by state using our SCA lookup.

How SCA WDs Are Organized

Each SCA WD lists specific occupation titles (e.g., "Secretary I," "Computer Operator II," "Guard I") with minimum hourly rates. Unlike Davis-Bacon, SCA WDs also specify whether work must comply with a predecessor contract's collective bargaining agreement.

The Health & Welfare Rate

In addition to occupation-specific rates, SCA requires contractors to pay the current H&W rate (set annually by DOL) for every hour worked. This rate applies regardless of whether the occupation is listed in the WD.

Related Articles

Davis-Bacon Debarment: What It Means and How to Avoid It

Debarment from federal contracting is one of the most severe Davis-Bacon consequences. Here's what t...

Apprentice Wages Under Davis-Bacon: Rules and Requirements

Apprentices on Davis-Bacon projects can be paid less than journeyman rates — but only if they meet s...

Multi-State Federal Contracts and Prevailing Wage Requirements

When a federal contract spans multiple states or counties, each location may require a different wag...