29 C.F.R. § 3.10
§ 3.10 Methods of payment of wages. (29 CFR Part 3)
Operative Text
The payment of wages shall be by cash, negotiable instruments payable on demand, or the additional forms of compensation for which deductions are permissible under this part. No other methods of payment shall be recognized on work subject to the Copeland Act.
Under 29 CFR Part 3 § 3.10, wages on Copeland Act-covered work must be paid in cash, negotiable instruments that can be redeemed on demand (such as checks), or through permissible deductions-based compensation forms recognized elsewhere in Part 3. Any other form of payment—such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, or barter—does not satisfy the wage-payment requirement for this type of federally regulated construction or repair work. The rule effectively limits how contractors and subcontractors may compensate workers on covered projects.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or developers overseeing federally covered construction or repair contracts should be aware that 29 CFR Part 3 § 3.10 restricts how wages may be disbursed on Copeland Act work. Compliant operators on such projects generally issue wages in cash or by negotiable instruments like checks, and ensure that any non-cash compensation falls within the deduction categories explicitly permitted under Part 3. Payroll records and practices on covered projects are typically structured to reflect only these recognized payment methods.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Workers on federally covered construction or repair projects have a right under 29 CFR Part 3 § 3.10 to receive wages in a recognized form—cash, a negotiable instrument, or a permissible deduction-based benefit. If wages are being paid in a form not recognized by this provision, that may constitute a violation that can be reported to the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. Tenant-rights organizations or worker advocacy groups familiar with federal prevailing wage law can help workers understand their options under Part 3.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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