Federal Davis-Bacon is not the only rule that applies here. Rates are set by the Tennessee Prevailing Wage Commission based on local wage data by craft. That runs on top of, not instead of, the federal WH-347 whenever the project also has federal money in it.
Tennessee's state law is narrower than most: it only covers state-funded highway, road, and bridge construction, not buildings, schools, or general public works.
Tennessee at a glance
- Tennessee Code §§ 12-4-401 to 12-4-415 requires prevailing wages on state-funded highway, road, and bridge contracts over $50,000.
- Rates are set by the Tennessee Prevailing Wage Commission based on local wage data by craft.
- Buildings, schools, and other general public works fall outside this state law entirely, unless federal funding brings Davis-Bacon into play.
- A 2026 law (HB 2541 / SB 2229) expanded coverage to non-state highway contracts funded by federal or state highway funds, so double check if a highway job is newly covered.
Tennessee Prevailing Wage Commission
What this means for your paperwork
Whenever a Tennessee project has federal money in it, the WH-347 side of it still has to happen on top of the state paperwork. 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 Tennessee's own state form, so budget for that as a separate step if this project needs it.
Frequently asked
Does Tennessee have its own prevailing wage law?+
Yes. Tennessee Code §§ 12-4-401 to 12-4-415 requires prevailing wages on state-funded highway, road, and bridge contracts over $50,000.
Does Certified Payroll file Tennessee's state certified payroll form?+
No. Certified Payroll files the federal WH-347 under Davis-Bacon, not Tennessee's own state form. The moment a Tennessee 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 Tennessee's labor department or a qualified compliance advisor before relying on it.