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City of Denver schedules, CO · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage, City of Denver schedules
$33.57an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum) · Group 1
$22.97 base wage + $10.60 fringe benefits · Highway
On City of Denver projects, an operating engineer working as group 1 must be paid at least $33.57 an hour: a $22.97 base wage plus $10.60 in fringe benefits. Denver Labor prints no total, so $33.57 is our sum of the two.
Denver Labor, Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009), effective August 19, 2026. Checked on October 25, 2026.
Denver Labor lists 97 operating engineer rates for City of Denver schedules, from $19.29 to $55.00 an hour. See all of them.
City of Denver projects (DRMC 20-76, contracts over $2,000) use these schedules from the Denver Auditor's Office, Denver Labor. They differ from the live SAM.gov copies in places. State projects in Denver County use the Davis-Bacon determinations on the Denver County page.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $22.97 + $10.60
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. Denver Labor 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) | $22.97 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $10.60 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; Denver Labor prints no total) | $33.57 |
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 Colorado change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in City of Denver schedules
As Denver Labor lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANE): 141 TONS AND OVERBuildingENGI0009-017 | $39.80 | $15.20 | $55.00 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANE): 50 TONS AND UNDERBuildingENGI0009-017 | $36.40 | $15.20 | $51.60 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANE): 51 TO 90 TONSBuildingENGI0009-017 | $36.09 | $15.20 | $51.29 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANE): 91 TO 140 TONSBuildingENGI0009-017 | $37.34 | $15.20 | $52.54 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUCO2013-006 | $20.78 | $5.78 | $26.56 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingSUCO2013-006 | $20.10 | $3.89 | $23.99 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuildingSUCO2013-006 | $21.50 | $0.00 | $21.50 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CONCRETE MIXER — LESS THAN ONE YDBuilding | $23.67 | $10.67 | $34.34 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CONCRETE MIXER – 1 YD AND OVERBuilding | $23.82 | $10.68 | $34.50 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: DRILLERSBuilding | $23.97 | $10.70 | $34.67 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADER – UP TO AND INCLUDING SIX CU YDBuilding | $23.67 | $10.67 | $34.34 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADERS – OVER SIX CU YDBuilding | $23.82 | $10.68 | $34.50 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANICBuilding | $19.29 | $0.00 | $19.29 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MOTOR GRADERBuilding | $23.97 | $10.70 | $34.67 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: OILERSBuilding | $22.97 | $10.70 | $33.67 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLERBuilding | $23.67 | $10.67 | $34.34 | Denver Building Mod 3 (CO20260020) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (3)-HYDRAULIC BACKHOE (Wheel Mounted, under 3/4 Yds), Hydraulic Backhoe (Backhoe/Loader Combination), Drill Rig Caisson (Smaller than Watson 2500 and Similar), Loader (Up to and including 6 Cu. Yd.)HighwayENGI0009-008 | $35.03 | $15.20 | $50.23 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (3)-LOADER (Under 6 Cu. Yd.) Denver CountyHighwayENGI0009-008 | $35.03 | $15.20 | $50.23 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (3)-MOTOR GRADER (Blade-Rough) Douglas CountyHighwayENGI0009-008 | $33.19 | $15.20 | $48.39 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (4)-CRANE (50 Tons And Under), SCRAPER (Single Bowl, Under 40 Cu. Yd)HighwayENGI0009-008 | $35.78 | $15.20 | $50.98 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (4)-LOADER (Over 6 Cu. Yd) Denver CountyHighwayENGI0009-008 | $35.20 | $15.20 | $50.40 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (5)-DRILL RIG CAISSON (Watson 2500 Similar Or Larger), CRANE (51-90 Tons), SCRAPER (40 Cu. Yd and Over)HighwayENGI0009-008 | $35.41 | $15.20 | $50.61 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (5)-MOTOR GRADER (Blade-Finish) Douglas CountyHighwayENGI0009-008 | $35.58 | $15.20 | $50.78 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (6)-CRANE (91-140 Tons)HighwayENGI0009-008 | $35.28 | $15.20 | $50.48 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT LAYDOWNHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $22.67 | $8.72 | $31.39 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT PAVERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $24.97 | $6.13 | $31.10 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT ROLLERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $23.13 | $7.55 | $30.68 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT SPREADERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $22.67 | $8.72 | $31.39 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID LOADERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $19.29 | $4.28 | $23.57 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOOMHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $22.67 | $8.72 | $31.39 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BROOM/SWEEPERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $22.47 | $8.72 | $31.19 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $26.90 | $5.59 | $32.49 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CONCRETE PUMPHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $21.60 | $5.21 | $26.81 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: DrillHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $20.48 | $4.71 | $25.19 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $19.50 | $4.68 | $24.18 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $22.67 | $8.72 | $31.39 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GUARDRAIL/POST DRIVERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $19.40 | $4.41 | $23.81 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANICHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $22.89 | $8.72 | $31.61 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: OILERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $23.73 | $8.41 | $32.14 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLER/COMPACTOR (Dirt and Grade Compaction)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $20.30 | $5.51 | $25.81 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROTOMILLHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $19.95 | $4.41 | $24.36 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCREEDHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $22.67 | $8.38 | $31.05 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: TRACTORHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $19.91 | $2.95 | $22.86 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels Above and Below Ground, shafts and raises): Group 1Highway | $25.12 | $10.81 | $35.93 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels Above and Below Ground, shafts and raises): Group 2Highway | $25.47 | $10.85 | $36.32 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels Above and Below Ground, shafts and raises): Group 3Highway | $25.57 | $10.86 | $36.43 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels Above and Below Ground, shafts and raises): Group 4Highway | $25.82 | $10.88 | $36.70 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels Above and Below Ground, shafts and raises): Group 5Highway | $25.97 | $10.90 | $36.87 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels Above and Below Ground, shafts and raises): Group 6Highway | $26.12 | $10.91 | $37.03 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels Above and Below Ground, shafts and raises): Group 7Highway | $26.37 | $10.94 | $37.31 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 1Highway | $22.97 | $10.60 | $33.57 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 2Highway | $23.32 | $10.63 | $33.95 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 3Highway | $23.67 | $10.67 | $34.34 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 4Highway | $23.82 | $10.68 | $34.50 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 5Highway | $23.97 | $10.70 | $34.67 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 6Highway | $24.12 | $10.71 | $34.83 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 7Highway | $24.88 | $10.79 | $35.67 | Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BLADE: FINISHHeavyENGI0009-001 | $34.58 | $15.20 | $49.78 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BLADE: ROUGHHeavyENGI0009-001 | $34.05 | $15.20 | $49.25 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERHeavyENGI0009-001 | $34.05 | $15.20 | $49.25 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: CRANES: 50 TONS AND UNDERHeavyENGI0009-001 | $34.77 | $15.20 | $49.97 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: CRANES: 51 TO 90 TONSHeavyENGI0009-001 | $35.07 | $15.20 | $50.27 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: CRANES: 91 TO 140 TONSHeavyENGI0009-001 | $36.27 | $15.20 | $51.47 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: CRANES: 141 TONS AND OVERHeavyENGI0009-001 | $38.63 | $15.20 | $53.83 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FORKLIFTHeavyENGI0009-001 | $34.58 | $15.20 | $49.78 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MECHANICHeavyENGI0009-001 | $35.58 | $15.20 | $50.78 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: OILERHeavyENGI0009-001 | $34.14 | $15.20 | $49.34 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SCRAPER: SINGLE BOWL UNDER 40 CUBIC YARDSHeavyENGI0009-001 | $35.20 | $15.20 | $50.40 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SCRAPER: SINGLE BOWL, INCLUDING PUPS 40 CUBIC YARDS AND OVER AND TANDEM BOWLSHeavyENGI0009-001 | $35.41 | $15.20 | $50.61 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: TRACKHOEHeavyENGI0009-001 | $35.20 | $15.20 | $50.40 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOEHeavy | $19.81 | $2.48 | $22.29 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERHeavy | $20.81 | $3.23 | $24.04 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SKID LOADERHeavy | $19.50 | $4.41 | $23.91 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 1Heavy | $22.97 | $10.60 | $33.57 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 2Heavy | $23.32 | $10.63 | $33.95 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 3Heavy | $23.67 | $10.67 | $34.34 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 4Heavy | $23.82 | $10.68 | $34.50 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 5Heavy | $23.97 | $10.70 | $34.67 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 6Heavy | $24.12 | $10.71 | $34.83 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator: Group 7Heavy | $24.88 | $10.79 | $35.67 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels above and below ground, shafts and raises): Group 1Heavy | $25.12 | $10.81 | $35.93 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels above and below ground, shafts and raises): Group 2Heavy | $25.47 | $10.85 | $36.32 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels above and below ground, shafts and raises): Group 3Heavy | $25.57 | $10.86 | $36.43 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels above and below ground, shafts and raises): Group 4Heavy | $25.82 | $10.88 | $36.70 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels above and below ground, shafts and raises): Group 5Heavy | $25.97 | $10.90 | $36.87 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels above and below ground, shafts and raises): Group 6Heavy | $26.12 | $10.91 | $37.03 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| Power Equipment Operator (Tunnels above and below ground, shafts and raises): Group 7Heavy | $26.37 | $10.94 | $37.31 | Denver Heavy Mod 2 (CO20260002) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERResidentialENGI0009-007 | $34.05 | $14.25 | $48.30 | Denver Residential Mod 1 (CO20260004) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADER: BLADE-FINISHResidentialENGI0009-007 | $34.58 | $14.25 | $48.83 | Denver Residential Mod 1 (CO20260004) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADER: BLADE-ROUGHResidentialENGI0009-007 | $34.05 | $14.25 | $48.30 | Denver Residential Mod 1 (CO20260004) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: ROLLER: SELF-PROPELLED ALL TYPES OVER 5 TONSResidentialENGI0009-007 | $34.05 | $14.25 | $48.30 | Denver Residential Mod 1 (CO20260004) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: ROLLER: SELF-PROPELLED RUBBER TIRES UNDER 5 TONSResidentialENGI0009-007 | $33.62 | $14.25 | $47.87 | Denver Residential Mod 1 (CO20260004) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SCRAPER: SINGLE BOWL INCLUDING PUPS 40 CUBIC YARDS AND TANDEM BOWLS AND OVER SINGLE BOWL INCLUDING PUPS 40 CUBIC YARDS AND TANDEM BOWLS AND OVERResidentialENGI0009-007 | $34.41 | $14.25 | $48.66 | Denver Residential Mod 1 (CO20260004) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SCRAPER: SINGLE BOWL UNDER 40 CUBIC YARDSResidentialENGI0009-007 | $34.21 | $14.25 | $48.46 | Denver Residential Mod 1 (CO20260004) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: WATER WAGONResidentialENGI0009-007 | $34.05 | $14.25 | $48.30 | Denver Residential Mod 1 (CO20260004) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOEResidentialSUCO2001-002 | $19.40 | $3.31 | $22.71 | Denver Residential Mod 1 (CO20260004) |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERResidentialSUCO2001-002 | $22.33 | $0.00 | $22.33 | Denver Residential Mod 1 (CO20260004) |
How City of Denver schedules 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 Colorado
City of Denver $33.5747143
$13.41Alamosa$33.57City of Denver
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- City of Denver schedulesbase $22.97$33.57
More from Denver Labor on this rate
- Denver Labor wage determination, page 6
- 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 (Denver Labor), wage determination Denver Highway Mod 2 (CO20260009), issued August 19, 2026, effective August 19, 2026, page 6: www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/2/auditor/documents/denver-labor/2026/prevailing-wage-determinations/highway-mod-2_8_19_26.pdf
We read every active Colorado 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. The City of Denver rows are copied from Denver Labor's own schedules. How we check · Download City of Denver schedules as CSV · Report an error