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Highlands County, FL · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Highlands County, Florida
$20.61an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$17.80 base wage + $2.81 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUFL2014-016
$12.00an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$12.00 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: LOADER · SUFL2009-081
$22.53an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$19.64 base wage + $2.89 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUFL2022-020
$16.07an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$14.13 base wage + $1.94 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: LOADER · SUFL2009-132
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Highlands County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $20.61 an hour: a $17.80 base wage plus $2.81 in fringe benefits, under wage determination FL20260207 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $20.61 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination FL20260207, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUFL2014-016 (August 16, 2016). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted residential construction in Highlands County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $12.00 an hour: a $12.00 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination FL20260042 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $12.00 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination FL20260042, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for residential construction; rate identifier SUFL2009-081 (June 8, 2009). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway construction in Highlands County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $22.53 an hour: a $19.64 base wage plus $2.89 in fringe benefits, under wage determination FL20260251 (modification 2). DOL prints no total, so $22.53 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination FL20260251, modification 2, published August 13, 2026, for highway construction; rate identifier SUFL2022-020 (June 27, 2024). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in Highlands County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $16.07 an hour: a $14.13 base wage plus $1.94 in fringe benefits, under wage determination FL20260093 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $16.07 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination FL20260093, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier SUFL2009-132 (June 24, 2009). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). Florida has no state law, and since 2024 s. 218.077 bars political subdivisions from setting contractor wage or benefit conditions (Laws of Florida 2024-80).
DOL lists 32 operating engineer rates for Highlands County, from $12.00 to $55.30 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $17.80 + $2.81
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) | $17.80 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $2.81 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $20.61 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $12.00 + $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) | $12.00 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $12.00 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $19.64 + $2.89
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) | $19.64 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $2.89 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $22.53 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $14.13 + $1.94
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) | $14.13 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $1.94 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $16.07 |
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 Florida change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Highlands County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPERATOR: CRANE (CRANES 76 TON TO 129 TON)BuildingENGI0487-023 | $37.57 | $14.90 | $52.47 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: CRANE (CRANES 130-300 TON)BuildingENGI0487-023 | $39.38 | $14.90 | $54.28 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: CRANE (ALL CRANES OVER 300 TON, ELECTRIC TOWER, LUFFING BOOM CRANES)BuildingENGI0487-023 | $40.40 | $14.90 | $55.30 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: CRANE (ALL CRANES 75 TONS AND BELOW)BuildingENGI0487-023 | $37.07 | $14.90 | $51.97 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: OILERBuildingENGI0487-029 | $27.53 | $14.90 | $42.43 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: MECHANICBuildingENGI0487-029 | $37.07 | $14.90 | $51.97 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuildingENGI0487-029 | $26.75 | $14.90 | $41.65 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ROLLERBuildingSUFL2014-016 | $14.43 | $4.78 | $19.21 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERBuildingSUFL2014-016 | $16.30 | $0.00 | $16.30 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuildingSUFL2014-016 | $18.97 | $0.00 | $18.97 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuildingSUFL2014-016 | $15.40 | $1.90 | $17.30 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUFL2014-016 | $17.80 | $2.81 | $20.61 | FL20260207 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $19.64 | $2.89 | $22.53 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $26.54 | $11.00 | $37.54 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BOOMHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $33.61 | $11.50 | $45.11 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BROOM/SWEEPERHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $17.00 | $0.72 | $17.72 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $21.25 | $1.57 | $22.82 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: CRANEHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $31.54 | $0.00 | $31.54 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $19.25 | $0.00 | $19.25 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $18.99 | $0.00 | $18.99 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: MECHANICHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $29.69 | $0.00 | $29.69 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINEHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $20.86 | $1.95 | $22.81 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: PAVER (ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE)HighwaySUFL2022-020 | $20.87 | $0.00 | $20.87 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: ROLLERHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $18.37 | $0.00 | $18.37 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: SCRAPERHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $15.54 | $0.00 | $15.54 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: SCREEDHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $20.47 | $0.00 | $20.47 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: TRACTORHighwaySUFL2022-020 | $16.00 | $0.68 | $16.68 | FL20260251 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERHeavySUFL2009-132 | $14.13 | $1.94 | $16.07 | FL20260093 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavySUFL2009-132 | $13.30 | $1.92 | $15.22 | FL20260093 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATORHeavySUFL2009-132 | $12.25 | $1.33 | $13.58 | FL20260093 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERResidentialSUFL2009-081 | $12.00 | $0.00 | $12.00 | FL20260042 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOEResidentialSUFL2009-081 | $13.92 | $0.00 | $13.92 | FL20260042 Mod 1 |
How Highlands 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 Florida
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Highlands Countybase $17.80$20.61
- Okeechobee Countybase $16.98$16.98
- Glades Countybase $16.98$16.98
- Hardee Countybase $39.01$55.86
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 Highlands County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardee County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1: 150 TON LATTICE, 250 TON HYDRO, FRICTION, TOWER AND LUFFING CRANES, 300+ FT BOOM | $39.01 | $55.86 | +$35.25 |
| DeSoto County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1: 150 TON LATTICE, 250 TON HYDRO, FRICTION, TOWER AND LUFFING CRANES, 300+ FT BOOM | $39.01 | $55.86 | +$35.25 |
| Polk County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 150 TON LATTICE, 250 TON HYDRO, FRICTION, TOWER AND LUFFING CRANES, 300+ FT BOOM JOURNEYMAN OILER SHALL BE PAID: 90% OF GROUP 3'S RATE | $39.01 | $55.86 | +$35.25 |
| Charlotte County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $22.07 | $30.87 | +$10.26 |
| Highlands County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.80 | $20.61 | |
| Okeechobee County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR | $16.98 | $16.98 | −$3.63 |
| Glades County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE | $16.98 | $16.98 | −$3.63 |
Florida 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 FL20260207 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/FL20260207/1
We read every active Florida 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 Highlands County as CSV · Report an error