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Denver County, CO · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Denver County, Colorado
$26.56an hour, base + fringe
$20.78 wage + $5.78 fringe benefits · Building · SUCO2013-006
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Denver County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $26.56 an hour: a $20.78 base wage plus $5.78 in fringe benefits, under wage determination CO20260020 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $26.56 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination CO20260020, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUCO2013-006 (July 31, 2015). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Colorado's state rule uses these same Davis-Bacon determinations for state-agency projects of $500,000 or more that have no federal money (CDOT contracts excluded), with no separate survey (SB19-196, C.R.S. 24-92-205). The City of Denver publishes its own schedules for its own projects, on the City of Denver page.
DOL lists 56 operating engineer rates for Denver County, from $16.08 to $55.00 an hour. See all of them.
City of Denver projects use Denver Labor's own schedules, listed on their own page (City of Denver schedules). The rates below are the Davis-Bacon determinations, which state projects in Denver County use.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $20.78 + $5.78
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) | $20.78 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $5.78 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $26.56 |
When this rate changes
- 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 Denver County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base + fringe | Base | Fringe benefits | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (91 TO 140 TONS)BuildingENGI0009-017 | $52.54 | $37.34 | $15.20 | CO20260020 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (51 TO 90 TONS)BuildingENGI0009-017 | $51.29 | $36.09 | $15.20 | CO20260020 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (50 TONS AND UNDER)BuildingENGI0009-017 | $50.98 | $35.78 | $15.20 | CO20260020 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE (141 TONS AND OVER)BuildingENGI0009-017 | $55.00 | $39.80 | $15.20 | CO20260020 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuildingSUCO2013-006 | $21.50 | $21.50 | $0.00 | CO20260020 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingSUCO2013-006 | $22.99 | $19.10 | $3.89 | CO20260020 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUCO2013-006 | $26.56 | $20.78 | $5.78 | CO20260020 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (6)-CRANE (91-140 TONS)HighwayENGI0009-008 | $50.48 | $35.28 | $15.20 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (5)-DRILL RIG CAISSON (WATSON 2500 SIMILAR OR LARGER), CRANE (51-90 TONS), SCRAPER (40 CU.YD AND OVER),)HighwayENGI0009-008 | $50.61 | $35.41 | $15.20 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (4)-LOADER (OVER 6 CU. YD) (DENVER COUNTY)HighwayENGI0009-008 | $50.40 | $35.20 | $15.20 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (4)-CRANE (50 TONS AND UNDER), SCRAPER (SINGLE BOWL, UNDER 40 CU. YD)HighwayENGI0009-008 | $50.98 | $35.78 | $15.20 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (3)-LOADER (UNDER 6 CU. YD.) (DENVER COUNTY)HighwayENGI0009-008 | $50.23 | $35.03 | $15.20 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| 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 | $50.23 | $35.03 | $15.20 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: TRACTORHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $16.08 | $13.13 | $2.95 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCREED (DENVER)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $31.05 | $22.67 | $8.38 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROTOMILLHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $20.63 | $16.22 | $4.41 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLER/COMPACTOR (DIRT AND GRADE COMPACTION) (DENVER)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $25.81 | $20.30 | $5.51 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: OILER (DENVER)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $32.14 | $23.73 | $8.41 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANIC (DENVER)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $31.61 | $22.89 | $8.72 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADE (DENVER)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $31.39 | $22.67 | $8.72 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $20.59 | $15.91 | $4.68 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: DRILL (DENVER)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $25.19 | $20.48 | $4.71 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $32.49 | $26.90 | $5.59 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BROOM/SWEEPER (DENVER)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $31.19 | $22.47 | $8.72 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOOMHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $31.39 | $22.67 | $8.72 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID LOADERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $19.65 | $15.37 | $4.28 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT SPREADERHighwaySUCO2011-004 | $31.39 | $22.67 | $8.72 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT ROLLER (DENVER)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $30.68 | $23.13 | $7.55 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT PAVER (DENVER)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $31.10 | $24.97 | $6.13 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT LAYDOWN (DENVER)HighwaySUCO2011-004 | $31.39 | $22.67 | $8.72 | CO20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: TRACKHOEHeavyENGI0009-001 | $50.40 | $35.20 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SCRAPER: SINGLE BOWL, INCLUDING PUPS 40 CUBIC YARDS AND OVER AND TANDEM BOWLSHeavyENGI0009-001 | $50.61 | $35.41 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SCRAPER: SINGLE BOWL UNDER 40 CUBIC YARDSHeavyENGI0009-001 | $50.40 | $35.20 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: OILERHeavyENGI0009-001 | $49.34 | $34.14 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MECHANICHeavyENGI0009-001 | $50.78 | $35.58 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FORKLIFTHeavyENGI0009-001 | $49.78 | $34.58 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: CRANES: 141 TONS AND OVERHeavyENGI0009-001 | $53.83 | $38.63 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: CRANES: 91 TO 140 TONSHeavyENGI0009-001 | $51.47 | $36.27 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: CRANES: 51 TO 90 TONSHeavyENGI0009-001 | $50.27 | $35.07 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: CRANES: 50 TONS AND UNDERHeavyENGI0009-001 | $49.97 | $34.77 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERHeavyENGI0009-001 | $49.25 | $34.05 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BLADE: ROUGHHeavyENGI0009-001 | $49.25 | $34.05 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BLADE: FINISHHeavyENGI0009-001 | $49.78 | $34.58 | $15.20 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SKID LOADERHeavySUCO2001-006 | $19.78 | $15.37 | $4.41 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERHeavySUCO2001-006 | $20.47 | $17.24 | $3.23 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE)HeavySUCO2001-006 | $18.84 | $16.36 | $2.48 | CO20260002 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS:(ROLLER: SELF-PROPELLED ALL TYPES OVER 5 TONSResidentialENGI0009-007 | $48.30 | $34.05 | $14.25 | CO20260004 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: WATER WAGONResidentialENGI0009-007 | $48.30 | $34.05 | $14.25 | CO20260004 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SCRAPER: SINGLE BOWL UNDER 40 CUBIC YARDSResidentialENGI0009-007 | $48.46 | $34.21 | $14.25 | CO20260004 Mod 1 |
| 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 OVER)ResidentialENGI0009-007 | $48.66 | $34.41 | $14.25 | CO20260004 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: ROLLER: SELF-PROPELLED RUBBER TIRES UNDER 5 TONSResidentialENGI0009-007 | $47.87 | $33.62 | $14.25 | CO20260004 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADER: BLADE-ROUGHResidentialENGI0009-007 | $48.30 | $34.05 | $14.25 | CO20260004 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADER: BLADE-FINISHResidentialENGI0009-007 | $48.83 | $34.58 | $14.25 | CO20260004 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERResidentialENGI0009-007 | $48.30 | $34.05 | $14.25 | CO20260004 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERResidentialSUCO2001-002 | $16.50 | $16.50 | $0.00 | CO20260004 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE)ResidentialSUCO2001-002 | $16.29 | $12.98 | $3.31 | CO20260004 Mod 1 |
How Denver 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 Colorado
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Denver Countybase $20.78$26.56
- Broomfield Countybase $20.78$26.56
- Jefferson Countybase $20.78$26.56
- Teller Countybase $20.26$28.88
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 + fringe | Base | vs Denver County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.56 | $20.78 | |
| Broomfield County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.56 | $20.78 | same |
| Jefferson County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.56 | $20.78 | same |
| Adams County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.56 | $20.78 | same |
| Arapahoe County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.56 | $20.78 | same |
| Douglas County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.56 | $20.78 | same |
| Boulder County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.56 | $20.78 | same |
Colorado 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 CO20260020 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/CO20260020/1
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 Denver County as CSV · Report an error