Federal Davis-Bacon is not the only rule that applies here. Contractors must be registered public works contractors with the state before bidding. That runs on top of, not instead of, the federal WH-347 whenever the project also has federal money in it.
New Jersey at a glance
- The New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25 et seq.) sets the state's own requirements, with coverage starting at $2,000 for most public work and $19,375 for municipal contracts.
- Contractors must be registered public works contractors with the state before bidding.
- Certified payroll (Form MW-562) is filed electronically through the NJ Wage Hub within 10 days of each pay date, far faster than the federal weekly cycle.
- Records only need to be kept two years from the date of payment, shorter than the federal three-year requirement, though keeping them longer is still safer practice.
What this means for your paperwork
Federal money on a New Jersey job does not excuse the WH-347. It runs alongside whatever New Jersey itself requires. Certified Payroll only handles the federal side: it checks the rate against the live SAM.gov wage determination and fills out the WH-347 with its Statement of Compliance. It does not file New Jersey's own state form, so budget for that as a separate step if this project needs it.
Frequently asked
Does New Jersey have its own prevailing wage law?+
Yes. The New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25 et seq.) sets the state's own requirements, with coverage starting at $2,000 for most public work and $19,375 for municipal contracts.
Does Certified Payroll file New Jersey's state certified payroll form?+
No. Certified Payroll files the federal WH-347 under Davis-Bacon, not New Jersey's own state form. The moment a New Jersey project is also federally funded, it checks the rate and fills out the WH-347 automatically. The state form is still a separate filing.
This is a general informational summary, not legal advice, and covers state-level rules only. Verify current requirements with New Jersey's labor department or a qualified compliance advisor before relying on it.