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San Diego County · Operating Engineer

Operating Engineer prevailing wage in San Diego County, California

$103.71an hour, total · Group 1

$62.40 wage + $41.31 employer payments

On California public works in San Diego County, a Group 1 operating engineer must be paid at least $103.71 an hour in total: $62.40 in wages plus $41.31 in employer payments to health, pension, training and other funds. Daily overtime is $134.91 and Sunday and holiday work is $166.11. DIR puts 13 job titles in Group 1, bargeman and brakeman among them.

DIR general determination SD-23-63-3-2026-2, issued August 22, 2026. Expires June 30, 2027. Checked against dir.ca.gov on October 24, 2026.

DIR lists 36 operating engineer rates for San Diego County, from $34.11 to $108.57 an hour. See all of them.

Base wage and fringe: $62.40 + $41.31

The basic hourly rate is the taxable wage. The other lines, usually called fringe benefits, are what DIR expects the employer to pay into health, pension and other plans for each hour worked. An employer can pay part of that as extra wages instead, as long as the total per hour stays at $103.71 or more.

Basic hourly rate (taxable wage)	$62.40
Health and welfare	$17.45
Pension (footnote d)	$18.40
Vacation and holiday (footnote e)	$3.95
Training	$1.10
Other payments	$0.41
Total straight-time hourly rate	$103.71

Straight time covers an 8-hour day.

Davis-Bacon operating engineer rate in San Diego County

Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's wage determinations. When a California awarding body runs a federally funded or assisted project, DIR's rates must be paid where they are higher than the Davis-Bacon rates (DIR public works FAQ).

We don't put a federal figure next to DIR's here, because the federal determinations split this trade into groups that don't line up with DIR's. The federal rows for this trade are below; match the classification to the work.

Construction	Federal classification	Base + fringe	Base	WD
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, TUNNEL WORK: GROUP 7- Tunnel mole boring machine operator PREMIUM PAY: $10.00 per hour shall be paid on all Power Equipment Operator …ENGI0012-024	$100.11	$66.91	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, TUNNEL WORK: GROUP 6- Heavy Duty Repairman PREMIUM PAY: $10.00 per hour shall be paid on all Power Equipment Operator work on the …ENGI0012-024	$99.99	$66.79	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, TUNNEL WORK: GROUP 5- Backhoe operator (up to and including 3/4 yd.); Small Ford, Case or similar; Drill doctor; Grouting machine …ENGI0012-024	$99.88	$66.68	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, TUNNEL WORK: GROUP 3- Dinkey locomotive or motorperson (up to and including 10 tons) PREMIUM PAY: $10.00 per hour shall be paid on …ENGI0012-024	$99.52	$66.32	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, TUNNEL WORK: GROUP 1- Skiploader (wheel type up to 3/4 yd. without attachment) PREMIUM PAY: $10.00 per hour shall be paid on all …ENGI0012-024	$98.45	$65.25	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 24- RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, OPERATING EQUIPMENT WITH THE TANDEM PUSH-PULL SYSTEM (SINGLE …ENGI0012-024	$101.11	$67.91	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 23- RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, OPERATING EQUIPMENT WITH THE TANDEM PUSH-PULL SYSTEM (SINGLE …ENGI0012-024	$100.99	$67.79	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 22- RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, OPERATING EQUIPMENT WITH THE TANDEM PUSH-PULL SYSTEM (SINGLE …ENGI0012-024	$100.88	$67.68	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 21- RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, OPERATING IN TANDEM (SCRAPERS, BELLY DUMPS AND SIMILAR TYPES …ENGI0012-024	$100.78	$67.58	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 20- RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, OPERATING IN TANDEM (SCRAPERS, BELLY DUMPS AND SIMILAR TYPES …ENGI0012-024	$100.61	$67.41	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 19- ROTEX CONCRETE BELT OPERATOR (OR SIMILAR TYPES); RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, OPERATING …ENGI0012-024	$100.49	$67.29	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 18- RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, OPERATING IN TANDEM (SCRAPERS, BELLY DUMPS AND SIMILAR TYPES …ENGI0012-024	$100.38	$67.18	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 17- RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, OPERATING EQUIPMENT WITH PUSH-PULL SYSTEM (MULTIPLE ENGINE, …ENGI0012-024	$100.28	$67.08	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 16- RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, OPERATING EQUIPMENT WITH PUSH-PULL SYSTEM (SINGLE ENGINE, …ENGI0012-024	$100.11	$66.91	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 15- RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, OPERATING EQUIPMENT WITH PUSH-PULL SYSTEM (SINGLE ENGINE, …ENGI0012-024	$99.99	$66.79	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 14- CANAL LINER OPERATOR; CANAL TRIMMER OPERATOR; REMOTE- CONTROL EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OPERATING A …ENGI0012-024	$99.91	$66.71	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 13- RUBBER-TIRED EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR OPERATING EQUIPMENT WITH PUSH-PULL SYSTEM (SINGLE ENGINE, UP …ENGI0012-024	$99.88	$66.68	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 12- AUTO GRADER OPERATOR; AUTOMATIC SLIP FORM OPERATOR; DRILLING MACHINE OPERATOR, BUCKET OR AUGER TYPES …ENGI0012-024	$99.78	$66.58	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 10- DRILLING MACHINE OPERATOR, BUCKET OR AUGER TYPES (CALWELD 200 B BUCKET OR SIMILAR TYPES-WATSON 3000 OR …ENGI0012-024	$99.61	$66.41	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 8- ASPHALT OR CONCRETE SPREADING OPERATOR (TAMPING OR FINISHING); ASPHALT PAVING MACHINE OPERATOR (BARBER …ENGI0012-024	$99.49	$66.29	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 6- ARTICULATING MATERIAL HAULER; ASPHALT PLANT ENGINEER; BATCH PLANT OPERATOR; BIT SHARPENER; CONCRETE JOINT …ENGI0012-024	$99.38	$66.18	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 4- ASPHALT PLANT FIREMAN; BACKHOE OPERATOR (MINI-MAX OR SIMILAR TYPE); BORING MACHINE OPERATOR; BOXMAN OR …ENGI0012-024	$99.16	$65.96	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 3- ASPHALT-RUBBER BLEND OPERATOR; BOBCAT OR SIMILAR TYPE (SKID STEER); EQUIPMENT GREASER (RACK); FORD FERGUSON …ENGI0012-024	$97.87	$64.67	CA20260001 Mod 3
Building, Residential, Highway, Heavy	OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, ALL OTHER WORK: GROUP 1- BARGEMAN; BRAKEMAN; COMPRESSOR OPERATOR; DITCH WITCH, WITH SEAT OR SIMILAR TYPE EQUIPMENT; ELEVATOR …ENGI0012-024	$96.60	$63.40	CA20260001 Mod 3

Davis-Bacon rates from SAM.gov, read October 25, 2026. Our federal totals are base plus fringe; DOL prints no total. California Davis-Bacon changes

Operating Engineer Group 1 job titles

Work DIR classifies in Group 1, copied as printed. The other groups and their rates are in the table below.

Bargeman
Brakeman
Compressor Operator
Ditch Witch, With Seat Or Similar Type Equipment
Elevator Operator - Inside
Engineer-Oiler
Generator Operator
Generator, Pump Or Compressor Plant Operator
Heavy Duty Repairman Helper
Inertial Profiler Operator
Pump Operator
Signalman
Switchman

Source: Group 1, page 7

Scheduled increases

$103.71now$108.21Jul 1, 2027

Current rate, DIR Aug 22, 2026Increases DIR has already set

DIR has already set these increases. Work on or after each date is paid the higher rate. DIR often leaves part of an increase "to be allocated to wages and/or employer payments" and confirms the split when it comes due, and it can reduce a scheduled increase in a later notice, so check DIR's increase page before you pay it.

Takes effect	Increase per hour	Total after increase
July 1, 2027	+$4.50	$108.21

The double asterisk after DIR's expiration date means the next rate is already set. If the work runs past that date you have to pay the new rate, and DIR says to build it into contracts signed now (DIR FAQ, Q8).

Source: DIR increase PDF

Every operating engineer rate in San Diego County

As DIR lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.

Classification	Total	Base	Employer payments	Daily OT	Determination
Landfill Worker (Operating Engineer): Equipment Operator II	$47.64	$31.25	$16.39	$56.525	SC-63-12-41-2025-1
Landfill Worker (Operating Engineer): Equipment Operator III	$48.68	$32.25	$16.43	$58.025	SC-63-12-41-2025-1
Group 1	$103.71	$62.40	$41.31	$134.91	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
TUNNEL OPERATING ENGINEER#: Group 1 1 job in this group Heavy Duty Repairman Helper	$105.56	$64.25	$41.31	$137.685	SD-23-63-3-2026-2C
Group 10 20 jobs in this group Backhoe Operator (Over 5 cu. yds. M.R.C.) Drilling Machine Operator, Bucket Or Auger Types (Calweld 200 B Bucket Or Similar Types - Watson 3000 Or 5000 Auger Or Similar Types - Texoma 900 Auger Or Similar Types - Drilling Depth Of 105' Maximum) Dual Drum Mixer Dynamic Compactor LDC 350 or Similar types Heavy Duty Repairman-Welder Combination Hydraulic Casing Oscillator Operator - drilling depth of 105' maximum Monorail Locomotive Operator (Diesel, Gas Or Electric) Motor Patrol - Blade Operator (Single Engine) Multiple Engine Tractor Operator (Euclid And Similar Type - Except Quad 9 Cat.) Pneumatic Pipe Ramming Tool and Similar Types (4" and above) Pre-Stressed Wrapping Machine Operator Production Tamper - Harsco or similar types Rail Dynamic Stabilizer Rubber -Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator (Single Engine, Over 50 Yds. Struck) Rubber -Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator (Multiple Engine, Euclid, Caterpillar And Similar Types - Over 25 Yds. And Up To 50 Yds. Struck) Tower Crane Repairman Tractor Loader Operator (Crawler And Wheel-Type Over 6½ Yds.) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS Drones) Operator (when used in conjunction with hoisting and placing materials) Welder - Certified Woods Mixer Operator (And Similar Pugmill Equipment)	$106.72	$65.41	$41.31	$139.425	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 12 14 jobs in this group Auto Grader Operator Automatic Slip Form Operator Backhoe Operation (Over 7 cu. yds. M.R.C.) Drilling Machine Operator, Bucket Or Auger Types (Calweld, Auger 200 CA Or Similar Types - Watson, Auger 6000 Or Similar Types-Hughes Super Duty, Auger 200 Or Similar Types - Drilling Depth Of 175' Maximum) Excavator Track/Rubber Tired - with all attachments (Operating weight 100,000 lbs - 200,000 lbs) Hoe Ram Or Similar Types With Compressor Hydraulic Casing Oscillator Operator - drilling depth of 175' maximum Mass Excavator Operator - Less Than 750 Cu. Yds. Mechanical Finishing Machine Operator Mobile Form Traveler Operator Motor Patrol Operator (Multi-Engine) Pipe Mobile Machine Operator Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator (Multiple Engine, Euclid, Caterpillar And Similar Type, Over 50 Cu. Yds. Struck) Rubber-Tired Self-Loading Scraper Operator (Paddle- Wheel-Auger Type Self Loading-Two Or More Units)	$106.89	$65.58	$41.31	$139.68	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 13 1 job in this group Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The Push-Pull System (Single Engine, Up To And Including 25 Yds. Struck)	$106.99	$65.68	$41.31	$139.83	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 14 6 jobs in this group Canal Liner Operator Canal Trimmer Operator Drilling Machine Operator, Bucket or Auger types (Calweld, Auger 200 CA or similar types - Watson, Auger 6000 or similar types - Hughes Super Duty, Auger 200 or similar types - drilling depth of 300' maximum) Geothermal Drill Rig Remote Controlled Earth Moving Equipment Operator ($1.00 Per Hour Additional To Base Rate) Wheel Excavator Operator (Over 750 Cu. Yds. Per Hour)	$107.02	$65.71	$41.31	$139.875	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 15 2 jobs in this group Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The Push-Pull System (Single Engine, Caterpillar, Euclid, Athey Wagon, And Similar Types With Any And All Attachments Over 25 Yds. And Up To And Including 50 Cu. Yds. Struck) Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The Push-Pull System (Multiple Engine - Up To And Including 25 Yds. Struck)	$107.10	$65.79	$41.31	$139.995	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 16 2 jobs in this group Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The Push-Pull System (Single Engine, Over 50 Yds. Struck) Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The Push-Pull System (Multiple Engine, Euclid, Caterpillar And Similar, Over 25 Yds. And Up To 50 Yds. Struck)	$107.22	$65.91	$41.31	$140.175	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 17 2 jobs in this group Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The Push-Pull System (Multiple Engine, Euclid, Caterpillar And Similar Type, Over 50 Cu. Yds. Struck) Tandem Tractor Operator (Operating Crawler Type Tractors In Tandem - Quad 9 And Similar Type)	$107.39	$66.08	$41.31	$140.43	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 18 1 job in this group Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating In Tandem (Scrapers, Belly Dumps, And Similar Types In Any Combination, Excluding Compaction Units - Single Engine, Up To And Including 25 Yds. Struck)	$107.49	$66.18	$41.31	$140.58	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 19 3 jobs in this group Rotex Concrete Belt Operator (Or Similar Type) Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating In Tandem (Scrapers, Belly Dumps, And Similar Types In Any Combination, Excluding Compaction Units - Single Engine, Caterpillar, Euclid, Athey Wagon, And Similar Types With Any And All Attachments Over 25 Yds. And Up To And Including 50 Cu. Yds. Struck) Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating In Tandem (Scrapers, Belly Dumps, And Similar Types In Any Combination, Excluding Compaction Units - Multiple Engine, Up To And Including 25 Yds. Struck)	$107.60	$66.29	$41.31	$140.745	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 2 15 jobs in this group Asphalt-Rubber Plant Operator (Nurse Tank Operator) Coil Tubing Rig Operator Concrete Mixer Operator - Skip Type Conveyor Operator Fireman Hydrostatic Pump Operator Oil Crusher (asphalt or concrete plant) PJU Side Dump Jack Rotary Drill Helper (Oilfield) Screening and Conveyor Machine Operator (or Similar Types) Skiploader (Wheel Type Up To ¾ Yd. with all attachment) Skiploader (Wheel Type Up To ¾ Yd. without attachment) Tar Pot Fireman Temporary Heating Plant Operator Trenching Machine Oiler	$104.49	$63.18	$41.31	$136.08	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
TUNNEL OPERATING ENGINEER#: Group 2 1 job in this group Skiploader (wheel type up to ¾ yd. without attachment)	$106.34	$65.03	$41.31	$138.855	SD-23-63-3-2026-2C
Group 20 2 jobs in this group Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating In Tandem (Scrapers, Belly Dumps, And Similar Types In Any Combination, Excluding Compaction Units - Single Engine, Over 50 Yds. Struck) Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating In Tandem (Scrapers, Belly Dumps, And Similar Types In Any Combination, Excluding Compaction Units - Multiple Engine, Euclid, Caterpillar And Similar, Over 25 Yds. And Up To 50 Yds. Struck)	$107.72	$66.41	$41.31	$140.925	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 21 1 job in this group Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating In Tandem (Scrapers, Belly Dumps, And Similar Types In Any Combination, Excluding Compaction Units - Multiple Engine, Euclid, Caterpillar And Similar Type, Over 50 Cu. Yds. Struck)	$107.89	$66.58	$41.31	$141.18	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 22 1 job in this group Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The Tandem Push-Pull System (Single Engine, Up To And Including 25 Yds. Struck)	$107.99	$66.68	$41.31	$141.33	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 23 2 jobs in this group Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The Tandem Push-Pull System (Single Engine, Caterpillar, Euclid, Athey Wagon, And Similar Types With Any And All Attachments Over 25 Yds. And Up To And Including 50 Cu. Yds. Struck) Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With Tandem Push-Pull System (Multiple Engine, Up To And Including 25 Yds. Struck)	$108.10	$66.79	$41.31	$141.495	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 24 2 jobs in this group Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The Tandem Push-Pull System (Single Engine, Over 50 Yds. Struck) Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The With The Tandem Push-Pull System (Multiple Engine, Euclid, Caterpillar And Similar, Over 25 Yds. And Up To 50 Yds. Struck)	$108.22	$66.91	$41.31	$141.675	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 25 4 jobs in this group Concrete Pump Operator-Truck Mounted Pedestal Concrete Pump Operator Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Operating Equipment With The Tandem Push- Pull System (Multiple Engine, Euclid, Caterpillar And Similar Over 50 Cu. Yds Struck Spyder Excavator Operator, with all attachments	$108.39	$67.08	$41.31	$141.93	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
Group 3 6 jobs in this group Asphalt-Rubber Blend Operator Skid Steer (Loader, with all attachment) Equipment Greaser (Rack) Ford Ferguson (With Dragtype Attachments) Helicopter Radioman (Ground) Stationary Pipe Wrapping and Cleaning Machine Operator	$104.78	$63.47	$41.31	$136.515	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
TUNNEL OPERATING ENGINEER#: Group 3 2 jobs in this group Chainman Power-Driver Jumbo Form Setter Operator	$106.63	$65.32	$41.31	$139.29	SD-23-63-3-2026-2C
Group 4 25 jobs in this group Asphalt Plant Fireman Backhoe Operator (Mini-Max Or Similar Type) Boring Machine Operator Boring System Electronic Tracking Locator Boxman Or Mixerman (Asphalt Or Concrete) Chip Spreading Machine Operator Concrete Cleaning Decontamination Machine Operator Concrete Pump Operator (Small Portable) Drilling Machine Operator, Small Auger Types (Texoma Super Economatic Or Similar Types - Hughes 100 Or 200, Or Similar Types - Drilling Depth Of 30' Maximum) Excavator Track/Rubber Tired - with all attachments (Operating weight under 21,000 lbs) Guard Rail Post Driver Operator Highline Cableway Signalman Horizontal Directional Drilling Machine Hydra-Hammer-Aero Stomper Hydraulic Casing Oscillator Operator - drilling depth of 30' maximum Micro Tunneling Operator (Above Ground Tunnel) Power Concrete Curing Machine Operator Power Concrete Saw Operator Power - Driver Jumbo Form Setter Operator Power Sweeper Operator Rock Wheel Saw/Trencher Roller Operator (Compacting) Screed Operator (Asphalt Or Concrete) Trenching Machine Operator (Up To 6 Ft.) Vacuum or Muck Truck	$106.27	$64.96	$41.31	$138.75	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
TUNNEL OPERATING ENGINEER#: Group 4 2 jobs in this group Dinkey Locomotive or Motorman (up to and including 10 tons) Rodman	$106.77	$65.46	$41.31	$139.50	SD-23-63-3-2026-2C
TUNNEL OPERATING ENGINEER#: Group 5 7 jobs in this group Bit Sharpener Equipment Greaser (Grease Truck) Instrumentation Slip Form Pump Operator (power driven hydraulic lifting device for concrete forms) Tugger Hoist Operator (1 drum) Tunnel Locomotive Operator (over 10 and up to including 30 tons) Welder-General	$106.99	$65.68	$41.31	$139.83	SD-23-63-3-2026-2C
Group 6 37 jobs in this group Articulating Material Hauler Asphalt or Concrete Plant Engineer Batch Plant Operator Bit Sharpener Central Batch Plant - Cement Silo Concrete Joint Machine Operator (Canal And Similar Type) Concrete Placer Operator Concrete Planer Operator Dandy Digger Deck Engine Operator Deck Engineer Derrickman (Oilfield Type) Drilling Machine Operator, Bucket Or Auger Types (Calweld 100 Bucket Or Similar Types - Watson 1000 Auger Or Similar Types - Texoma 330, 500 Or 600 Auger Or Similar Types - Drilling Depth Of 45' Maximum) Drilling Machine Operator (Including Water Wells) Equipment Greaser (Grease Truck) Force Feed Loader (with a seat) Hydraulic Casing Oscillator Operator - drilling depth of 45' maximum Hydro Seeder Machine Operator (straw, pulp or seed) / Jackson Track Maintainer, Or Similar Type Machine Tool Operator Maginnis Internal Full Slab Vibrator Mechanical Berm, Curb Or Gutter (Concrete Or Asphalt) Mechanical Finisher Operator (Concrete, Clary- Johnson-Bidwell Or Similar Types) Micro Tunnel System Operator (Below Ground) Pavement Breaker Operator - Truck Mounted Railcar Mover Road Oil Mixing Machine Operator Roller Operator (Asphalt Or Finish) Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment (Single Engine, Up To And Including 25 Yds. Struck) Self-Propelled Tar Pipelining Machine Operator Skiploader Operator (Crawler And Wheel Type, Over ¾ Yd. And Up To And Including 1 ½ Yds., with all attachments) Slip Form Pump Operator (Power Driven Hydraulic Lifting Device For Concrete Forms) Tractor Operator - Bulldozer, Tamper-Scraper (Single Engine, Up To 100 H.P. Flywheel And Similar Types, Up To And Including D-5 And Similar Types) Tugger Hoist Operator (1 Drum) Ultra High Pressure Waterjet Cutting Tool System Operator Vacuum Blasting Machine Operator Volumetric Mixer Operator Welder - General	$106.49	$65.18	$41.31	$139.08	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
TUNNEL OPERATING ENGINEER#: Group 6 14 jobs in this group Backhoe Operator (up and including ¾ yd.) Small Ford, Case or similar Drill Doctor Grouting Machine Operator Heading Shield Operator Heavy Duty Repairman Jumbo Pipe Carrier Loader Operator (Athey, Euclid, Sierra and Similar types) Mucking Machine Operator (1/4 yd - Oiler or Journeyman-Trainee required - rubber tired, rail or track type) Pneumatic Concrete Placing Machine Operator (Hackley-Presswell or similar type) Pneumatic Heading Shield (Tunnel) Pumpcrete Gun Operator Tractor Compressor Drill Combination Operator Tugger Hoist Operator (2 drum) Tunnel Locomotive Operator (over 30 tons)	$107.10	$65.79	$41.31	$139.995	SD-23-63-3-2026-2C
TUNNEL OPERATING ENGINEER#: Group 7 1 job in this group Heavy Duty Repairman-Welder Combination	$107.22	$65.91	$41.31	$140.175	SD-23-63-3-2026-2C
Group 8 59 jobs in this group Asphalt or Concrete Spreading Operator (tamping or finishing) Allroad Mobile Timber Harvester (Albach or similar types) Asphalt Paving Machine Operator (Barber Greene Or Similar Type) Asphalt-Rubber Distributor Operator Backhoe Operator (Up To And Including ¾ Yd.) Small Ford, Case Or Similar Types Backhoe Operator (Over ¾ yd and up to 5 cu. yds. M.R.C.) Barrier Rail Mover (BTM Series 200 or similar types) Cast In Place Pipe Laying Machine Operator Cold Foamed Asphalt Recycler Combination Mixer And Compressor Operator (Gunite Work) Compactor Operator - Self Propelled Concrete Mixer Operator - Paving Crushing Plant Operator Drill Doctor Drilling Machine Operator, Bucket Or Auger Types (Calweld 150 Bucket Or Similar Types - Watson 1500, 2000, 2500 Auger Or Similar Types - Texoma 700, 800 Auger Or Similar Types - Drilling Depth Of 60' Maximum) Elevating Grader Operator Excavator Track/Rubber Tired - with all attachments (Operating weight 21,000 lbs -100,000 lbs) Global Positioning System/GPS (or technician) Grade Checker Gradall Operator Grouting Machine Operator Heavy Duty Repairman Heavy Equipment Robotics Operator Hydraulic Casing Oscillator Operator - drilling depth of 60' maximum Hydraulic Operated Grout Plant Kalamazoo Ballast Regulator Or Similar Type Kalamazoo Switch Tamper, Or Similar Type Kolman Belt Loader And Similar Type Le Tourneau Blob Compactor Or Similar Type Lo Drill Loader Operator (Athey, Euclid, Sierra And Similar Types) Master Environmental Maintenance Mechanic Ozzie Padder or Similar Types P.C. 490 Slot Saw Pneumatic Concrete Placing Machine Operator (Hackley-Presswell Or Similar Type) Prentice 721E Hydro-Ax Pumpcrete Gun Operator Rail Tie Crane (Kershaw or similar types) Rotary Drill Operator (Excluding Caison Type) Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator (Single Engine, Caterpillar, Euclid, Athey Wagon, And Similar Types With Any And All Attachments Over 25 Yds. And Up To And Including 50 Cu. Yds. Struck) Rubber-Tired Earth Moving Equipment Operator (Multiple Engine - Up To And Including 25 Yds. Struck) Rubber-Tired Scraper Operator (Self-Loading Paddle Wheel Type - John Deere, 1040 And Similar Single Unit) Self-Propelled Curb And Gutter Machine Operator Shuttle Buggy Skiploader Operator (Crawler And Wheel Type Over 1½ Yds. Up To And Including 6½ Yds., with all attachments) Soil Remediation Plant Operator (CMI, Envirotech or Similar Types) Soil Stabilizer and Reclaimer Somero SXP Laser Screed Speed Swing Operator Surface Heaters And Planer Operator Tie Back Drill Operator (Klemm Drill or similar types) Tractor Compressor Drill Combination Operator Tractor Operator (Any Type Larger Than D-5 - 100 Flywheel H.P. And Over, Or Similar Types - Bulldozer, Tamper, Scraper And Push Tractor, Single Engine) Tractor Operator (Boom Attachments) Traveling Pipe Wrapping, Cleaning And Bending Machine Operator Trenching Machine Operator (Over 6 Ft. Depth Capacity, Manufacturer's Rating) Trenching Machine with Road Miner Attachment (Over 6 Ft. Depth Capacity, Manufacturer's Rating - Oiler or Journeyman-Trainee required) Ultra High Pressure Waterjet Cutting Tool System Mechanic Water Pull (compaction)	$106.60	$65.29	$41.31	$139.245	SD-23-63-3-2026-2
TUNNEL OPERATING ENGINEER#: Group 8 1 job in this group Party Chief	$108.57	$67.26	$41.31	$142.20	SD-23-63-3-2026-2C
TUNNEL OPERATING ENGINEER#: Group 9 1 job in this group Tunnel Mole Boring Machine Operator	$107.52	$66.21	$41.31	$140.625	SD-23-63-3-2026-2C
Landfill Worker (Operating Engineer): Heavy Duty Repairman and/or Welder	$57.50	$40.75	$16.75	$70.775	SC-63-12-41-2025-1
Landfill Worker (Operating Engineer): Laborer/Spotter	$34.11	$23.60	$10.51	$39.47	SC-63-12-41-2025-1
Landscape Operating Engineer#: Landscape Operating Engineer: Backhoe Operators; Skidsteer; Forklifts-Tree Planting Equipment (jobsite); HDR Welder-Landscape, Irrigation, Operating Engineers' Equipment; Mulching Tractors; Roller Operators; Rubber-tired & Track Earthmoving Equipment; Skiploader Operators; Trencher-31 horsepower and up	$90.56	$55.51	$35.05	$118.315	SC-63-12-33-2026-2
Landfill Worker (Operating Engineer): PM Tech	$49.97	$33.50	$16.47	$59.90	SC-63-12-41-2025-1

How San Diego County compares

The main operating engineer rate in every county that has one, and how the pay splits here and in the nearest counties. All bars use the same scale.

Every county in California

San Diego $103.7146

$103.71San Diego$108.51Alameda

San DiegoNearby: Riverside $103.75, Orange $103.75, Imperial $103.75Each column is a group of counties with about the same main rate; its height is how many. 57 counties pay more than San Diego, 0 the same, 0 less.

Wage and employer payments, nearby

San Diego Countybase $62.40$103.71
Riverside Countybase $64.40$103.75
Orange Countybase $64.40$103.75
Imperial Countybase $64.40$103.75

Operating Engineer rates in nearby counties

Current DIR rates. You pay the rate for the county where the work is done, even if your shop is somewhere else.

County	Classification	Total	Base	vs San Diego County
Riverside County	Group 1	$103.75	$64.40	+$0.04
Orange County	Group 1	$103.75	$64.40	+$0.04
Imperial County	Group 1	$103.75	$64.40	+$0.04
Los Angeles County	Group 1	$103.75	$64.40	+$0.04
San Bernardino County	Group 1	$103.75	$64.40	+$0.04
Ventura County	Group 1	$103.75	$64.40	+$0.04
San Diego County	Group 1	$103.71	$62.40

California operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map

Footnotes on this rate

DIR's footnotes, in DIR's words. Several change the rate itself: zone pay, a percentage added to the total, or which overtime hours get which rate.

a For classifications within each group, see Pages 7 through 11.
b Rate applies to the first 4 overtime hours. All other daily overtime is paid at the Sunday rate.
c Rate applies to the first 12 hours worked. All other time is paid at the Sunday rate.
d Includes an amount for Annuity.
e Includes an amount withheld for supplemental dues.

DIR's other marks: # means an apprenticeable craft, * means in effect until superseded, ** means the next rate is already set.

Are you being paid this rate?

Add your hourly wage to what your employer pays into health, pension and other plans for you, and compare it with $103.71. Plan payments only count if the money goes into the plan; your pay stub won't show them, but plan statements will. The training amount goes to the California Apprenticeship Council or an apprenticeship program, not to you. Check a week of pay.

Contractors on most public works jobs file certified payroll with the state, and anyone can look it up in DIR's CPR public search. If your total comes up short, you can file a public works complaint with the California Labor Commissioner.

Source

California Department of Industrial Relations, general prevailing wage determination SD-23-63-3-2026-2, page 1: www.dir.ca.gov/oprl/2026-2/PWD/Determinations/SanDiego/SD-023-63-3.pdf

Each figure is copied from DIR's file and checked by a second, separate reader. How we check · How to read a determination · Download San Diego County as CSV · Report an error