DOL Announces 2026 Minimum Wage Rate For Contracts Still Covered By E.O. 13658

February 17, 2026

What's New

The Labor Department has set the 2026 minimum wage rate for contracts covered by Executive Order (E.O.) 13658. The minimum wage will increase to $13.65 per hour on May 11, 2026, with the tipped employee cash wage rising to $9.55.

This update applies only to contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022, that were not renewed or extended on or after January 30, 2022.

DOL confirms that after the rescission of E.O. 14026, E.O. 13658 remains in effect for this limited set of contracts.

What It Means

Most contracts covered by the Davis-Bacon Act or Service Contract Act will already meet or exceed the new $13.65 rate because prevailing wage requirements remain higher.

The updated rate therefore matters most for non-DBA/SCA contracts still subject to E.O. 13658, such as contracts involving federal property or lands that provide certain services. Contractors with legacy agreements predating 2022 must confirm whether those contracts remain covered and must ensure the correct rate applies beginning May 11, 2026.

What You Should Do

Contractors should review contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022, to determine whether E.O. 13658 still applies. If so, contractors must ensure wage rates for covered workers meet the $13.65 requirement by May 11, 2026. CWC members can direct any questions to [email protected].

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