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Tuscaloosa County, AL · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
$32.68an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$21.48 base wage + $11.20 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUAL2015-026
$12.52an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$12.52 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END) · SUAL2007-143
$16.39an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$16.39 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUAL2019-049
$19.78an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$17.64 base wage + $2.14 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: LOADER, INCLUDES WATER SEWER LINES · SUAL2015-047
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Tuscaloosa County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $32.68 an hour: a $21.48 base wage plus $11.20 in fringe benefits, under wage determination AL20260098 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $32.68 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination AL20260098, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUAL2015-026 (August 2, 2017). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted residential construction in Tuscaloosa County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $12.52 an hour: a $12.52 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination AL20260059 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $12.52 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination AL20260059, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for residential construction; rate identifier SUAL2007-143 (October 23, 2007). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway construction in Tuscaloosa County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $16.39 an hour: a $16.39 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination AL20260170 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $16.39 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination AL20260170, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for highway construction; rate identifier SUAL2019-049 (November 13, 2019). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in Tuscaloosa County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $19.78 an hour: a $17.64 base wage plus $2.14 in fringe benefits, under wage determination AL20260119 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $19.78 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination AL20260119, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier SUAL2015-047 (August 2, 2017). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). Alabama has no state prevailing wage law (DOL state table).
DOL lists 29 operating engineer rates for Tuscaloosa County, from $11.20 to $46.62 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $21.48 + $11.20
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe benefits as one hourly figure, not itemized; it can go to health, pension, vacation and training plans, or be paid as cash where the state allows.
| Base wage (taxable) | $21.48 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $11.20 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $32.68 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $12.52 + $0.00
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe benefits as one hourly figure, not itemized; it can go to health, pension, vacation and training plans, or be paid as cash where the state allows.
| Base wage (taxable) | $12.52 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $12.52 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $16.39 + $0.00
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe benefits as one hourly figure, not itemized; it can go to health, pension, vacation and training plans, or be paid as cash where the state allows.
| Base wage (taxable) | $16.39 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $16.39 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $17.64 + $2.14
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe benefits as one hourly figure, not itemized; it can go to health, pension, vacation and training plans, or be paid as cash where the state allows.
| Base wage (taxable) | $17.64 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $2.14 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $19.78 |
When does this rate change?
- A contract keeps the wage determination in its bid documents. Modifications published before bid opening apply to it, though one published less than 10 days before can be left out if the agency finds there isn't time to tell bidders (29 CFR 1.6(c)).
- DOL changes a WD by publishing a numbered modification on SAM.gov. This page reads the modification named in the Source line; the Alabama change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Tuscaloosa County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuildingENGI0312-001 | $32.57 | $14.05 | $46.62 | AL20260098 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEBuildingENGI0312-001 | $32.57 | $14.05 | $46.62 | AL20260098 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ROLLERBuildingSUAL2015-026 | $14.00 | $1.78 | $15.78 | AL20260098 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERBuildingSUAL2015-026 | $14.69 | $0.00 | $14.69 | AL20260098 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuildingSUAL2015-026 | $17.52 | $0.89 | $18.41 | AL20260098 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuildingSUAL2015-026 | $19.96 | $0.40 | $20.36 | AL20260098 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUAL2015-026 | $21.48 | $11.20 | $32.68 | AL20260098 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (DRILL)HighwayENGI0312-002 | $24.15 | $9.36 | $33.51 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: SCRAPERHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $13.30 | $0.00 | $13.30 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ROLLERHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $15.19 | $0.00 | $15.19 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: PAVER (ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE)HighwaySUAL2019-049 | $17.21 | $0.00 | $17.21 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: OILERHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $16.83 | $0.00 | $16.83 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINEHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $15.69 | $0.00 | $15.69 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: MECHANICHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $22.36 | $0.00 | $22.36 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: MATERIAL TRANSFER VEHICLEHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $16.89 | $0.00 | $16.89 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $16.32 | $0.00 | $16.32 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $17.81 | $0.00 | $17.81 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: CRANEHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $23.41 | $0.00 | $23.41 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $18.21 | $0.00 | $18.21 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BROOM/SWEEPERHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $11.68 | $0.00 | $11.68 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $13.88 | $0.00 | $13.88 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $16.39 | $0.00 | $16.39 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ASPHALT SPREADERHighwaySUAL2019-049 | $16.26 | $0.00 | $16.26 | AL20260170 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADER, INCLUDES WATER SEWER LINESHeavySUAL2015-047 | $17.64 | $2.14 | $19.78 | AL20260119 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZER, INCLUDES WATER AND SEWER LINESHeavySUAL2015-047 | $12.00 | $0.00 | $12.00 | AL20260119 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE, INCLUDES WATER SEWER LINESHeavySUAL2015-047 | $19.31 | $0.00 | $19.31 | AL20260119 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END)ResidentialSUAL2007-143 | $12.52 | $0.00 | $12.52 | AL20260059 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERResidentialSUAL2007-143 | $12.60 | $0.00 | $12.60 | AL20260059 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOEResidentialSUAL2007-143 | $11.20 | $0.00 | $11.20 | AL20260059 Mod 1 |
How Tuscaloosa County compares
The main operating engineer rate in every county that has one, and how the pay splits here and nearby. All bars use the same scale.
Every county in Alabama
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Tuscaloosa Countybase $21.48$32.68
- Bibb Countybase $32.57$46.62
- Fayette Countybase $20.48$32.26
- Pickens Countybase $21.48$32.68
Operating Engineer rates in nearby counties
Current DOL rates. Davis-Bacon rates are set for groups of counties, so neighbours often share them; the county where the work is done decides.
| County | Classification | Base wage | Total rate | vs Tuscaloosa County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bibb County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE | $32.57 | $46.62 | +$13.94 |
| Walker County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE | $32.57 | $46.62 | +$13.94 |
| Tuscaloosa County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.48 | $32.68 | |
| Pickens County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.48 | $32.68 | same |
| Hale County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.48 | $32.68 | same |
| Fayette County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.48 | $32.26 | −$0.42 |
| Greene County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.48 | $32.26 | −$0.42 |
Alabama operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from DOL on this rate
- DOL wage determination
- SAM.gov wage determinations
- Davis-Bacon determinations list journeyworker rates. Apprentices in a program registered with DOL or a recognized state agency can be paid the program's percentage of the rate, within its ratio; anyone else gets the full rate (29 CFR 5.5(a)(4)).
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your base pay to the fringe your employer pays for you, in cash or into plans, and compare the sum with the total. The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints: 1-866-487-9243, or dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints.
Source
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (DOL), wage determination AL20260098 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/AL20260098/1
We read every active Alabama Davis-Bacon wage determination from SAM.gov's own data and check every number with a second, independent read of the same file. DOL prints no total; ours is base plus fringe. How we check · Download Tuscaloosa County as CSV · Report an error