What is the name of the wage that is often required by the state for employees on public works projects?

The term "prevailing wage" specifically refers to the wage that is mandated by law for workers on public works projects. This requirement is often instituted to ensure that workers are compensated at a rate reflecting the wages commonly paid for similar work in the geographic area. The prevailing wage is established by the state or local government and is intended to promote fair labor standards, helping to prevent underbidding on contracts and ensuring that local wage standards are upheld.

In public works projects, prevailing wage laws are designed to protect the economic rights of workers and ensure that projects funded by public money do not exploit labor. Thus, when answering the question about the wage required by the state for public works, the correct designation is the prevailing wage.