Prevailing Wage Payroll Specialist

Company : Associated Construction & Engineering, Inc.

Department : Accounting / Payroll

Reports To : Payroll Manager

Location : In-Person - Temecula, CA

Schedule : 4 / 10 Alternative Workweek - Monday through Thursday, 6 : 30 a.m. to 5 : 00 p.m.

Salary Range : $45,000 - $60,000 annually (depending on experience)

Position Summary

The Prevailing Wage Payroll Specialist is responsible for preparing, auditing, and submitting payroll for employees working on projects subject to prevailing wage laws (federal, state, and local). This role ensures compliance with certified payroll reporting, fringe benefit calculations, and related labor compliance requirements under California law and applicable federal regulations (e.g., Davis-Bacon, if applicable).

The Specialist collaborates closely with project managers, HR, subcontractors, and compliance teams to maintain accurate payroll records and stay current with changing wage determinations and labor laws.

Key Responsibilities

• Process payroll for employees on prevailing wage projects, ensuring accurate calculation of wages, overtime, deductions, fringe benefits, and other compensable items.
• Prepare and submit certified payroll reports (e.g., DIR in California) in full compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Maintain and update prevailing wage rate tables, local determinations, union agreements, and fringe benefit rates.
• Audit subcontractor payroll submissions for compliance with prevailing wage laws, including classifications, hours, fringe contributions, and apprenticeship requirements.
• Reconcile payroll costs and labor allocations by job, cost code, and project.
• Monitor timekeeping systems, review timesheets, and coordinate approvals with project management.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and respond to employee inquiries related to prevailing wage assignments.
• Stay current with wage and hour laws, prevailing wage updates, and regulation changes at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Assist with internal and external audits related to payroll and labor compliance.
• Collaborate with HR, finance, accounting, project management, and legal teams to ensure accurate integration of payroll data, benefits, and compliance reporting.
• Generate periodic reports such as labor cost summaries, fringe benefit usage, and variance analyses.
• Support year-end payroll reconciliation and tax reporting.
• Perform other payroll and compliance-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Education

Working Conditions / Physical Demands

Benefits

AAP / EEO Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, or disability.

Other Duties

This job description is intended to outline the general nature and key responsibilities of this role. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time, with or without notice