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Statewide, CT · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in the statewide schedule, Connecticut
$91.61an hour, base + benefit
$60.66 wage + $30.95 benefits · Building
On Connecticut public works in Connecticut's statewide schedule, an operating engineer must be paid at least $91.61 an hour: a $60.66 base wage plus $30.95 in benefits. CTDOL prints no total, so $91.61 is our sum of the two.
CTDOL schedules as of July 1, 2026; this rate, effective July 1, 2026. Rates are not fixed for the life of a contract: contractors must adjust wages and benefits every July 1 to CTDOL's new rates (CGS § 31-55a, as amended by PA 25-168). Checked against portal.ct.gov on October 25, 2026.
CTDOL lists 65 operating engineer rates for Connecticut's statewide schedule, from $74.94 to $91.61 an hour. See all of them.
CTDOL's online rates are informational. The contracting agency gets a project schedule from CTDOL before advertising, and that schedule, in the bid documents, is the one that applies.
CTDOL prints a 'Statewide' locality, filed under Hartford County in its town sort.
- Benefit printed with “+ a”: extra paid holidays or vacation defined in CTDOL's Footnotes sheet.
Base wage and benefits: $60.66 + $30.95
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. CTDOL prints the 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) | $60.66 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $30.95 |
| Base + benefits (our sum; CTDOL prints no total) | $91.61 |
When this rate changes
- Connecticut re-rates contracts already under way. Each contractor must check with the Labor Commissioner by July 1 every year and adjust wages and benefits effective each July 1 (CGS § 31-55a, as amended by PA 25-168).
- This page uses CTDOL's schedules "As of: July 1, 2026". CTDOL can replace a schedule during the year to correct it; the Building schedule now carries a Bricklayers Zone A and B fringe correction (CTDOL prevailing wage).
Every operating engineer rate in Connecticut's statewide schedule
As CTDOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base + benefit | Base | Benefits | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1: Crane Handling or Erecting Structural Steel or Stone, Hoisting Engineer (2 drums or over), Deep Shaft over 14". (Trade License Required)Building | $91.61 | $60.66 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 1a: Front End Loader (7 cubic yards or over); Work Boat 26 ft. and OverBuilding | $86.55 | $55.60 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 2: Cranes (100 ton rate capacity and over). (Trade License Required)Building | $91.19 | $60.24 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 2a: Cranes (under 100 ton rated capacity), Magni Type-360 Rotating Forklift.Building | $90.15 | $59.20 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 2b: Excavator over 2 cubic yards; Pile Driver ($3.00 premium when operator controls hammer), HF-1 Forklift, Drills with self contained power units, Micropile up to 14 inches helical pile.Building | $86.12 | $55.17 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 3: Excavator; Gradall; Master Mechanic; Hoisting Engineer (all types of equipment where a drum and cable are used to hoist or drag material regardless of motive power of operation), Rubber Tire Excavator (Drott-1085 or similar);Grader Operator; Bulldozer Finegrade. (slopes, shaping, laser or GPS, etc.). (Trade License Required)Building | $85.08 | $54.13 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 4: Trenching Machines; Lighter Derrick; CMI Machine or Similar; Koehring Loader (Skooper); Goldhofer.Building | $84.56 | $53.61 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 5: Specialty Railroad Equipment; Asphalt Spreader, Asphalt Reclaiming Machine; Line Grinder; Concrete Pumps; Drills with Self Contained Power Units; Boring Machine; Post Hole Digger; Auger; Pounder; Well Digger; Milling Machine (over 24 mandrel).Building | $83.73 | $52.78 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 5 continued: Side Boom; Combination Hoe and Loader; Directional Driller, Geothermal Drill.Building | $83.73 | $52.78 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 6: Front End Loader (3 up to 7 cubic yards); Bulldozer (rough grade dozer).Building | $83.30 | $52.35 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 7: Asphalt Roller; Concrete Saws and Cutters (ride on types); Vermeer Concrete Cutter; Stump Grinder; Scraper; Snooper; Skidder; Milling Machine (24" and under mandrel).Building | $82.84 | $51.89 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 8: Mechanic; Grease Truck Operator; Hydroblaster; Barrier Mover; Power Stone Spreader; Welding; Work Boat Under 26 ft.; Transfer Machine; Rigger Foreman.Building | $82.29 | $51.34 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 9: Front End Loader (under 3 cubic yards); Skid Steer Loader regardless of attachments; (Bobcat or Similar); Forklift, Power Chipper; Landscape Equipment (including Hydroseeder); Vacuum Excavation Truck and Hydrovac Excavation Truck (27 HG pressure or greater).Building | $81.69 | $50.74 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 10: Vibratory hammer; ice machine; diesel and air, hammer, etc.Building | $78.86 | $47.91 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 11: Conveyor, earth roller, power pavement breaker (whiphammer), robot demolition equipment.Building | $78.86 | $47.91 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 12: Wellpoint Operator.Building | $78.77 | $47.82 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 13: Compressor Battery Operator.Building | $77.99 | $47.04 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 14: Elevator Operator; Tow Motor Operator (solid tire no rough terrain).Building | $76.40 | $45.45 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 15: Generator Operator; Compressor Operator; Pump Operator; Welding Machine Operator; Heater Operator.Building | $75.84 | $44.89 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 16: Maintenance Engineer and Articulating End Dump.Building | $74.94 | $43.99 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 17: Portable Asphalt Plant Operator; Portable Crusher Plant Operator; Portable Concrete Plant Operator; Portable Grout Plant Operator; Portable Water Filtration Plant Operator.Building | $80.90 | $49.95 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 18: Power Safety Boat; Vacuum Truck; Zim Mixer; Sweeper; (Minimum for any job requiring a CDL license); Rigger; Signalman.Building | $77.55 | $46.60 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 1: Crane Handling or Erecting Structural Steel or Stone, Hoisting Engineer (2 drums or over), Caisson Drilled Shaft over 14". (Trade License Required)Heavy/Highway | $91.61 | $60.66 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 1a: Front End Loader (7 cubic yards or over); Work Boat 26 ft. and over.Heavy/Highway | $86.55 | $55.60 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 2: Cranes (100 ton rate capacity and over). (Trade License Required)Heavy/Highway | $91.19 | $60.24 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 2a: Cranes (under 100 ton rated capacity), Magni Type-360 Rotating Forklift.Heavy/Highway | $90.15 | $59.20 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 2b: Excavator over 2 cubic yards; Pile Driver ($3.00 premium when operator controls hammer), HF-1 Forklift, Drills with self contained power units, Micropile up to 14 inches helical pile.Heavy/Highway | $86.12 | $55.17 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 3: Excavator; Gradall; Master Mechanic; Hoisting Engineer (all types of equipment where a drum and cable are used to hoist or drag material regardless of motive power of operation), Rubber Tire Excavator (Drott-1085 or similar);Grader Operator; Bulldozer Fine Grade (slopes, shaping, laser or GPS, etc.). (Trade License Required)Heavy/Highway | $85.08 | $54.13 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 4: Trenching Machines; Lighter Derrick; CMI Machine or Similar; Koehring Loader (Skooper), Goldhofer.Heavy/Highway | $84.56 | $53.61 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 5: Specialty Railroad Equipment; Asphalt Paver; Asphalt Spreader; Asphalt Reclaiming Machine; Line Grinder; Concrete Pumps; Drills with Self Contained Power Units; Boring Machine; Post Hole Digger; Auger; Pounder; Well Digger; Milling Machine (over 24" mandrel)Heavy/Highway | $83.73 | $52.78 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 5 continued: Side Boom; Combination Hoe and Loader; Directional Driller, Geothermal Drill.Heavy/Highway | $83.73 | $52.78 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 6: Front End Loader (3 up to 7 cubic yards); Bulldozer (rough grade dozer).Heavy/Highway | $83.30 | $52.35 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 7: Asphalt Roller; Concrete Saws and Cutters (ride on types); Vermeer Concrete Cutter; Stump Grinder; Scraper; Snooper; Skidder; Milling Machine (24" and under Mandrel)Heavy/Highway | $82.84 | $51.89 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 8: Mechanic, Grease Truck Operator, Hydroblaster, Barrier Mover, Power Stone Spreader; Welder; Work Boat under 26 ft.; Transfer Machine, Rigger Foreman.Heavy/Highway | $82.29 | $51.34 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 9: Front End Loader (under 3 cubic yards), Skid Steer Loader regardless of attachments (Bobcat or Similar); Fork Lift, Power Chipper; Landscape Equipment (including hydroseeder), Vacuum Excavation Truck and Hydrovac Excavation Truck (27 HG pressure or greater).Heavy/Highway | $81.69 | $50.74 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 10: Vibratory Hammer, Ice Machine, Diesel and Air Hammer, etc.Heavy/Highway | $78.86 | $47.91 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 11: Conveyor, Earth Roller; Power Pavement Breaker (whiphammer), Robot Demolition Equipment.Heavy/Highway | $78.86 | $47.91 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 12: Wellpoint Operator.Heavy/Highway | $78.77 | $47.82 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 13: Compressor Battery Operator.Heavy/Highway | $77.99 | $47.04 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 14: Elevator Operator; Tow Motor Operator (Solid Tire No Rough Terrain).Heavy/Highway | $76.40 | $45.45 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 15: Generator Operator; Compressor Operator; Pump Operator; Welding Machine Operator; Heater Operator.Heavy/Highway | $75.84 | $44.89 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 16: Maintenance Engineer and Articulating End Dump.Heavy/Highway | $74.94 | $43.99 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 17: Portable Asphalt Plant Operator; Portable Crusher Plant Operator; Portable Concrete Plant Operator., Portable Grout Plant Operator, Portable Water Filtration Plant Operator.Heavy/Highway | $80.90 | $49.95 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Group 18: Power Safety Boat; Vacuum Truck; Zim Mixer; Sweeper; (minimum for any job requiring CDL license), Rigger, Signalman.Heavy/Highway | $77.55 | $46.60 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Excavator over 2 cubic yards; Pile Driver ($3.00 premium when operator controls hammer), HF-1 Forklift, Drills with self contained power units, Micropile up to 14 inches helical pile.ResidentialResidential | $86.12 | $55.17 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Excavator; Gradall; Master Mechanic; Hoisting Engineer (all types of equipment where a drum and cable are used to hoist or drag material regardless of motive power of operation), Rubber Tire Excavator (Drott-1085 or similar);Grader Operator; Bulldozer Fine Grade (slopes, shaping, laser or GPS, etc.). (Trade License Required)ResidentialResidential | $85.08 | $54.13 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Trenching Machines; Lighter Derrick; CMI Machine or Similar; Koehring Loader (Skooper), Goldhofer.ResidentialResidential | $84.56 | $53.61 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Specialty Railroad Equipment; Asphalt Paver; Asphalt Spreader; Asphalt Reclaiming Machine; Line Grinder; Concrete Pumps; Drills with Self Contained Power Units; Boring Machine; Post Hole Digger; Auger; Pounder; Well Digger; Milling Machine (over 24" mandrel), Side Boom; Combination Hoe and Loader; Directional Driller, Geothermal Drill.ResidentialResidential | $83.73 | $52.78 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Asphalt Roller; Concrete Saws and Cutters (ride on types); Vermeer Concrete Cutter; Stump Grinder; Scraper; Snooper; Skidder; Milling Machine (24" and under Mandrel).ResidentialResidential | $82.84 | $51.89 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Front End Loader (3 up to 7 cubic yards); Bulldozer (rough grade dozer).ResidentialResidential | $83.30 | $52.35 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Front End Loader (7 cubic yards or over); Work Boat 26 ft. and over.ResidentialResidential | $86.55 | $55.60 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Mechanic, Grease Truck Operator, Hydroblaster, Barrier Mover, Power Stone Spreader; Welder; Work Boat under 26 ft.; Transfer Machine, Rigger Foreman.ResidentialResidential | $82.29 | $51.34 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Crane Handling or Erecting Structural Steel or Stone, Hoisting Engineer (2 drums or over), Caisson Drilled Shaft over 14". (Trade License Required)ResidentialResidential | $91.61 | $60.66 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Vibratory Hammer, Ice Machine, Diesel and Air Hammer, etc.ResidentialResidential | $78.86 | $47.91 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Cranes (100 ton rate capacity and over). (Trade License Required)ResidentialResidential | $91.19 | $60.24 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Cranes (under 100 ton rated capacity), Magni Type-360 Rotating Forklift.ResidentialResidential | $90.15 | $59.20 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Conveyor, Earth Roller; Power Pavement Breaker (whiphammer), Robot Demolition Equipment.ResidentialResidential | $78.86 | $47.91 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Front End Loader (under 3 cubic yards), Skid Steer Loader regardless of attachments (Bobcat or Similar); Fork Lift, Power Chipper; Landscape Equipment (including hydroseeder), Vacuum Excavation Truck and Hydrovac Excavation Truck (27 HG pressure or greater).ResidentialResidential | $81.69 | $50.74 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Wellpoint OperatorResidentialResidential | $78.77 | $47.82 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Compressor Battery OperatorResidentialResidential | $77.99 | $47.04 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Elevator Operator; Tow Motor Operator (solid tire no rough terrain).ResidentialResidential | $76.40 | $45.45 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Generator Operator; Compressor Operator; Pump Operator; Welding Machine Operator; Heater Operator.ResidentialResidential | $75.84 | $44.89 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Maintenance Engineer, Articulating End Dump.ResidentialResidential | $74.94 | $43.99 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Portable Asphalt Plant Operator; Portable Crusher Plant Operator; Portable Concrete Plant Operator; Portable Grout Plant Operator; Portable Water Filtration Plant Operator.ResidentialResidential | $80.90 | $49.95 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Power Equipment Operator: Power Safety Boat; Vacuum Truck; Zim Mixer; Sweeper, Rigger, Signalman; (minimum for any job requiring CDL license).ResidentialResidential | $77.55 | $46.60 | $30.95 | Jul 1, 2026 |
How Connecticut's statewide schedule compares
The main operating engineer rate in every town that has one, and how the pay splits here and nearby. All bars use the same scale.
Every town in Connecticut
Wage and benefits, nearby
- Statewidebase $60.66$91.61
More from CTDOL on this rate
- CTDOL CTDOL schedule, page 168
- CTDOL's prevailing wage rates
- CTDOL's schedules list journeyperson rates only. Registered apprentices get their percentage of the journeyperson base plus the full benefit.
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your hourly rate to what your employer pays into benefit funds for you (or pays you in cash on top), and compare it with the total. Your employer files a certified payroll with the contracting agency every month; a false one is a felony (CGS § 31-53(f)). CTDOL Wage and Workplace Standards: (860) 263-6790.
Source
Department of Labor (CTDOL), CTDOL schedule CTDOL-building-2026-07-01, issued July 1, 2026, effective July 1, 2026, page 168: portal.ct.gov/dol/-/media/dol/2022-new-design-system/divisions/wage-and-workplace-standards/buildingrates_7-1-2026_update.pdf
We read every row of CTDOL's three July 1, 2026 schedules, town by town, and check every number with a second, separate reader. CTDOL prints no total; ours is the hourly rate plus the dollar benefit. How we check · Download Statewide as CSV · Report an error