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Hamilton County · Operating Engineer

Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Hamilton County, Illinois

$76.13an hour, base + fringes

$42.13 wage + $34.00 fringe benefits · All work

On Illinois public works in Hamilton County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $76.13 an hour: a $42.13 base wage plus $34.00 in fringe benefits for health and welfare, pension, vacation, training and other insurance. IDOL lists each part but prints no total, so $76.13 is our sum of its columns. Overtime after 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday, is 1.5 times the base wage. This is IDOL's all work rate; it lists separate rivers and oil & chip rates for this trade in Hamilton County. IDOL sorts this trade into numbered classes by equipment or duties, and this is Class 1.

IDOL's Hamilton County schedule, posted October 19, 2026, for work performed on or after October 19, 2026. Checked against labor.illinois.gov on October 24, 2026.

IDOL lists 8 operating engineer rates for Hamilton County, from $58.62 to $76.23 an hour. See all of them.

Base wage and fringe: $42.13 + $34.00

The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. The other lines are the fringe benefits IDOL lists for each hour: health and welfare, pension, vacation, training, and "other insurance", which IDOL's legend defines as the "employer hourly cost for any other type(s) of insurance".

Base wage (taxable)$42.13
Health and welfare$12.65
Pension$17.20
Training$4.15
Base + fringes (our sum; IDOL prints no total)$76.13

Foreman base wage: $43.13 an hour, with the same fringe benefits.

Davis-Bacon operating engineer rate in Hamilton County

Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's wage determinations. When a contract requires both the state rate and the Davis-Bacon rate, paying the higher of the two meets both. The contract documents say which apply.

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

ConstructionFederal classificationBase + fringeBaseWD
BuildingOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT: RIVER Class 2ENGI0318-001$68.78 $36.78 IL20260002 Mod 4
BuildingOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT: RIVER Class 1ENGI0318-001$72.23 $40.23 IL20260002 Mod 4
BuildingOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT: RIVER (Class 2)ENGI0318-001$68.78 $36.78 IL20260002 Mod 4
BuildingOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT: RIVER (Class 1)ENGI0318-001$72.23 $40.23 IL20260002 Mod 4
BuildingOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, CLASS C: AIR COMPRESSOR (220 CFM OR OVER) ONE, AIR TRACK DRILL ONE, AUTOMATIC BIN, BELT DRAG MACHINE, BULK CEMENT PLANT W/BUILT-IN …ENGI0318-001$62.83 $30.83 IL20260002 Mod 4
BuildingOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, CLASS B: OILERS CLASSIFIED AS ASSISTANT OPERATORS, AIR TRACK DRILL/COMPRESSOR, ALL MACHINES USED TO SWEEP, CLEAN, BROOM OR REMOVE …ENGI0318-001$70.23 $38.23 IL20260002 Mod 4
BuildingOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, CLASS A: ALL OFF ROAD MATERIAL HAULING EQUIPMENT, ALL TERRAIN CRANE, ARTICULATED DUMP, ASPHALT MACHINE SPREADER, ASPHALT PLANT …ENGI0318-001$72.13 $40.13 IL20260002 Mod 4
BuildingOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, GROUP 1 POWER CRANES, DRAGLINES, DERRICKS, SHOVELS, GRADALLS, MECHANICS, TRACTOR HIGHLIFT, TOURNADOZER, CONCRETE MIXERS WITH SKIP, …ENGI0841-005$71.15 $45.15 IL20260002 Mod 4
BuildingOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, GROUP 1 POWER CRANES, DRAGLINES, DERRICKS, SHOVELS, GRADALLS, MECHANICS, TRACTOR HIGHLIFT, TOURNADOZER, CONCRETE MIXERS WITH SKIP, …ENGI0841-006$71.15 $45.15 IL20260002 Mod 4
BuildingPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 3 AIR COMPRESSOR, TRACK OR SELF-PROPELLED; BULK CEMENT BATCHING- PLANTS; CONVEYORS; CONCRETE MIERS (EXCEPT PLANT,PAVER,TOWER) …ENGI0965-005$63.05 $34.30 IL20260002 Mod 4
Highway, HeavyOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, CLASS A: ALL OFF ROAD MATERIAL HAULING EQUIPMENT, ALL TERRAIN CRANE, ARTICULATED DUMP, ASPHALT MACHINE SPREADER, ASPHALT PLANT …ENGI0318-001$72.13 $40.13 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, CLASS B: OILERS CLASSIFIED AS ASSISTANT OPERATORS, AIR TRACK DRILL/COMPRESSOR, ALL MACHINES USED TO SWEEP, CLEAN, BROOM OR REMOVE …ENGI0318-001$70.23 $38.23 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, CLASS C: AIR COMPRESSOR (220 CFM OR OVER) ONE, AIR TRACK DRILL ONE, AUTOMATIC BIN, BELT DRAG MACHINE, BULK CEMENT PLANT W/BUILT-IN …ENGI0318-001$62.83 $30.83 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyOPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT: RIVER Class 1: All Off Road Material Hauling Equipment, All Terrain Crane, All Power Boat Operators, Articulated Dump, Asphalt …ENGI0318-001$72.23 $40.23 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 10 CERTIFIED CRANE OPERATORS 17.5 TONS AND ABOVE, WHEN REQUESTED BY THE CONTRACTOR OR REQUIRED BY THE OWNER (FAYETTE, JEFFERSON, …ENGI0520-004$81.70 $46.75 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 11 MASTER MECHANIC (FAYETTE, JEFFERSON, MARION, PERRY, AND RANDOLPH COUNTIES) INCLUDING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ON HEAVY …ENGI0520-004$79.40 $44.45 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 12 LICENSED BOAT PILOT (FAYETTE, JEFFERSON, MARION, PERRY, AND RANDOLPH COUNTIES) INCLUDING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ON HEAVY …ENGI0520-004$80.40 $45.45 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 02 ASSISTANT OPERATORS (FAYETTE, JEFFERSON, MARION, PERRY, AND RANDOLPH COUNTIES) INCLUDING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ON HEAVY …ENGI0520-004$76.27 $41.32 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 03 AIR COMPRESSOR ONE; WATER PUMP REGARDLESS OF SIZE ONE; WELDING MACHINE ONE; 1-BAG MIXER ONE; CONVEYOR ONE; SIPHON OR JET; …ENGI0520-004$71.79 $36.84 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 05 OILERS (FAYETTE, JEFFERSON, MARION, PERRY, AND RANDOLPH COUNTIES) INCLUDING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ON HEAVY INDUSTRIAL SITES …ENGI0520-004$79.40 $44.45 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 06 OPERATORS ON EQUIPMENT WITH BOOMS, INCLUDING JIBS, 100 FT AND OVER, BUT LESS THAN 150 FT (FAYETTE, JEFFERSON, MARION, PERRY, …ENGI0520-004$79.95 $45.00 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 07 OPERATORS ON EQUIPMENT WITH BOOMS, INCLUDING JIBS, 150 FT AND OVER, BUT LESS THAN 200 FT (FAYETTE, JEFFERSON, MARION, PERRY, …ENGI0520-004$80.25 $45.30 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 08 OPERATORS ON EQUIPMENT WITH BOOMNS, INCLUDING JIBS, 200 FT AND OVER; TOWER CRANES, AND WHIRLEY CRANES (FAYETTE, JEFFERSON, …ENGI0520-004$80.55 $45.60 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 09 CERTIFIED CRANE OPERATORS, BELOW 17.5 TONS, WHEN REQUESTED BY THE CONTRACTOR OR REQUIRED BY THE OWNER. (FAYETTE, JEFFERSON, …ENGI0520-004$81.20 $46.25 IL20260016 Mod 2
Highway, HeavyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 POWER CRANES, DRAGLINES, DERRICKS, SHOVELS, GRADALLS, MECHANICS, TRACTOR HIGHLIFT, TOURNADOZER, CONCRETE MIXERS WITH SKIP, …ENGI0841-004$71.15 $45.15 IL20260016 Mod 2
ResidentialBACKHOEENGI0318-002$72.13 $40.13 IL20260022 Mod 2

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

Holidays

IDOL's Hamilton County schedule: “The following list is considered as those days for which holiday rates of wages for work performed apply: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Veterans Day in some classifications/counties. Generally, any of these holidays which fall on a Sunday is celebrated on the following Monday. This then makes work performed on that Monday payable at the appropriate overtime rate for holiday pay. Common practice in a given local may alter certain days of celebration. If in doubt, please check with IDOL.”

Holiday work is paid at the holiday multiple in the overtime table (2.0× the base wage for this row).

When this rate changes

What each class covers

IDOL's explanation of classes for Hamilton County, copied as printed. The class number on a row decides its rate.

OPERATING ENGINEERS - BUILDING, HEAVY AND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

Class 1. All Off Road Material Hauling Equipment, All Terrain Crane, Articulated Dump,Asphalt Machine Spreader, Asphalt Plant Assistant Operator, Asphalt Plant Operator, Asphalt Widener, Assistant Operator on Rotomills, Autograder, Automatic Slipform Pavers, Backend Man on Asphalt Machine, Backhoes, Barrel Grappler Devices (All), Blacksmith,Blade Operators (All), Boat Engineer, Boat Operators (All) Bridges, Dams & Waterways, Boat Pilots requiring certification and or licensing, Boilers, Boom or Winch Cat, Boom or Winch Type Trucks, Boring Machines – Horizontal, Clamshell, Orange Peel Operator, Concrete Breaker, Concrete Groover, Concrete Grinder, Concrete Curb Machine, Concrete Finish Machine or Spreader Operator, Concrete Mixer Paver, Concrete Pump Truck, Concrete Plant Operator, Concrete Wheel Saw Operators, Cranes (All) Truck/Track/Rubber, Crane (Overhead) Operator, Derrick Guy or Derrick Trucks, Dingo, Ditching Machines (All), Dozer Operators, Dragline or Shovel Operators, Dredge Booster Pump, Dredge Engineman, Dredge Operator/Leverman, Drill Cat w/Compressor Mounted, Drilling or Boring Machine Rotary - Self-Propelled, Endloaders (All) Track/Rubber Elevating Grader, Flexplane, Forklifts/Tele-Handlers (All), Geothermal Well Drilling, GPS on machines already under the jurisdiction of Local 318, Gradall, Greasers, Heavy Equipment Robotics Operator, Horizontal Directional Drill Locate Box, Hydro Excavation Equipment, Self Propelled or Pull Type (All), Hi-Lift, Hoists, Hoisting Engine, Horizontal Directional Drill Operator, Incinerators (Haz-Mat only), Laser Screed, Locomotive/Operator, Master Mechanic, Marooka Buggies, Mixers 21 cu. ft. or over, Motor Patrol, Pile driver Operator, Post Driving Equipment, Pulls & Scrappers, Power Pac & Controls (Pile Driving), Pug mill, Pulverizer or Tillers, Push Cats, Quad Trac, Rotating Cab Forklifts, Rotomills, Rubber Tired Farm Tractor with Attachments over 1/2 yd., Self-Propelled Chip Spreader, Self-Propelled Roller w/Attachments, Shot Blaster/Bridge Deck, Shuttle Buggie, Side booms, Skid loader (Skid steers), Skimmer Scoop, Spyder Cranes, Stationary Rock Slinger, Trackhoe and All Attachments, Trench Machine Operator, Tuggers, Ultra High Pressure Water Jet Cutting Machine, Vacuum, Vacuum Blasting Machine Operator, Vac Jet, Welders, Well or Caisson Drills, Well Point Pumps - 2 or more, Wood Chipper w/Tractor Class 2. (Oilers) Shall be classified as Assistant Operators, Air Track Drill w/Compressor, All Machines used to Sweep, Clean, Broom or remove debris or snow, Any type Tractor pulling Roller or Disc, Automatic Bins or Scales w/compressor or generator, Bulk cement Plant w/Separate Compressor, Concrete Curb Machine requiring Electronics, Concrete Plant Assistant Operators, Concrete or Pump crete Pumps, Deck Hand on Boats, Dredge Assistant Operator/Mate, Power Broom, Self-Propelled Roller/Compactor, Straw Mulcher Blower, Stump Cutter Machine, Two Air Compressors (220 CFM or over), Two Air Track Drills, Air compressor w/valve driving piling, Assistant Operator (where required, refer to Article VII, Section 9), Elevator Operator, Form Grader, Man Lift (Scissor Lift) when lifting materials, Pile driver activating air or hydraulic valve regardless of location, Rubber- Tired Farm Type Tractor w/Blade/Bulldozer/Auger/Hi-Lift of 1/2 yd. or less, Self-Propelled Concrete Saw, Self-propelled Robotics roller in use two (2) continuous hours or more shall be manned by an operating engineer, Self-Propelled Vibrator, Truck Crane assistant operator, Two Conveyors Class 3. Mechanic in permanent shops without separate signed Collective Bargaining Agreements Nov. 1 thru March 31, Air Compressor (220 CFM or over) One, Air Track Drill (one), Automatic Bin, Belt Drag Machine, Bulk Cement Plant w/Built-in Compressor running off same motor or electric motor, Fireman or Switchman, Mechanical plasterer applicator, Pipe Tract Jack, Self-Propelled Form Tamper, Trac-Air, Mixers - less than 21 cu.ft, Mortar Mixer w/ski or pump, Mud jacks, One Well Point Pump Wood Chipper One Operating Engineer may operate or maintain any combination of the following pieces of equipment, not to exceed four (4), which shall be within reasonable distance; such combination may include the equipment in this classification: Air Compressor (under 220 CFM) Four Light Plants Generators Pumps Conveyors Motor Driven Heaters (2) Welding Machines Ulmac or Equal Spreader OPERATING ENGINEER - O & C (Oil and Chip Resealing ONLY). Includes the operation of all motorized heavy equipment used in oil and chip rsealing, including but not limited to operating self-propelled chip spreaders, and all types of rollers (both hard and rubber tired); and other duties pertaining to the operation or maintenance of heavy equipment relatd to oil and chip resealing. Class 1. See Class 1 above for types of equipment operated. Class 2. See Class 2 above for types of equipment operated. Class 3. See Class 3 above for types of equipment operated. OPERATING ENGINEER RIVER WORK 1 - operate the following machines when working on River Work and Levee Work on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, Lakes and Tributaries: All Off Road Material Hauling Equipment, All Terrain Crane, All Power Boat Operators, Articulated Dump, Asphalt Machine Spreader, Asphalt Plant Operator, Asphalt Widener, Autograder, Automatic Slipform Pavers, Backhoes, Barrell Grappler Devices (All), Blacksmith, Blade Operators (All), Boat Engineer, Boat Operators (All) Bridges, Dams & Waterways, Boat Pilots requiring certification and or licensing, Boilers, Boom or Winch Cat, Boom or Winch Type Trucks, Boring Machines – Horizontal, Clamshell, Orange Peel Operator, Concrete Breaker, Concrete Curb Machine, Concrete Finish Machine or Spreader Operator, Concrete Mixer Paver, Concrete Pump Truck, Concrete Plant Operator, Concrete Wheel Saw Operators, Cranes (All) Truck/Track/Rubber, Crane (Overhead) Operator, Derrick Guy or Derrick Trucks, Dingo, Ditching Machines (All), Dozer Operators, Dragline or Shovel Operators, Dredge Booster Pump, Dredge Engineman, Dredge Operator/Leverman, Drill Cat w/Compressor Mounted, Drilling or Boring Machine Rotary - Self-Propelled, Endloaders (All) Track/Rubber Elevating, Grader, Flexplane, Forklifts/Tele-Handlers (All), Geothermal Well Drilling, GPS on machines already under the jurisdiction of Local 318, Gradeall, Greasers, Heavy Equipment Robotics Operator, Horizontal Directional Drill Locate Box Hydro Excavation Equipment, Self-Propelled or Pull Type (All), Hi-Lift, Hoists, Hoisting Engine, Horizontal Directional Drill Operator, Incinerators (Haz-Mat only), Laser Screed,Locomotive/Operator, Marooka Buggies, Master Mechanic, Mixers 21 cu. ft. or over, Motor Patrol, Piledriver Operator, Post Driving Equipment, Pulls & Scrappers, Power Pac & Controls (Pile Driving), Pugmill, Pulverizer or Tillers, Push Cats, Quad Trac, Rotating Cab Forklifts, Rotomill, Rubber Tired Farm Tractor with Attachments over 1/2 yd., Self-Propelled Chip Spreader, Self-Propelled Roller w/Attachments, Shuttle Buggie, Sidebooms, Skidloader (Skidsteers), Skimmer Scoop, Spyder Cranes, Trackhoe and all Attachments, Trench Machine Operator, Tuggers, Ultra High-Pressure Water Jet Cutting Machine, Vacuum, Vacuum Blasting Machine Operator, Vac Jet, Welders, Well or Caisson Drills, Well Point Pumps - 2 or more, Wood Chipper w/Tractor. OPERATING ENGINEER RIVER 2 - - when working on River Work and Levee Work on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, Lakes and Tributaries Assistant Operators Required on: All Terrain Cherry Picker w/over 65 ton Lifting Capacity, Crane, Deckhand on all rivers, lakes, and tributaries, Dinky or Standard Locomotive, Ditching Machine (80 H.P. and over), Dragline, Dredge, Gradall, Guy Derrick, Assistant Operators or Fireman on Crane, Pile Driver, Shovel, Trenching Machine, Truck Crane Other Classifications of Work: For definitions of classifications not otherwise set out, the Department generally has on file such definitions which are available. If a task to be performed is not subject to one of the classifications of pay set out, the Department will upon being contacted state which neighboring county has such a classification and provide such rate, such rate being deemed to exist by reference in this document. If no neighboring county rate applies to the task, the Department shall undertake a special determination, such special determination being then deemed to have existed under this determination. If a project requires these, or any classification not listed, please contact IDOL at 217-782-1710 for wage rates or clarifications.

LANDSCAPING

Landscaping work falls under the existing classifications for laborer, operating engineer and truck driver. The work performed by landscape plantsman and landscape laborer is covered by the existing classification of laborer. The work performed by landscape operators (regardless of equipment used or its size) is covered by the classifications of operating engineer. The work performed by landscape truck drivers (regardless of size of truck driven) is covered by the classifications of truck driver.

Every operating engineer rate in Hamilton County

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

  1. Oe River 1, Class 1Rivers$76.23
  2. Operating Engineer, Class 1All work$76.13
  3. Operating Engineer, Class 2All work$74.23
  4. Oe River 2, Class 2Rivers$72.78
  5. Operating Engineer, Class 3All work$66.83
  6. Operating Engineer, Class 1Oil & chip$65.60
  7. Operating Engineer, Class 2Oil & chip$64.17
  8. Operating Engineer, Class 3Oil & chip$58.62
Total hourly rate of each operating engineer classification in Hamilton County, highest first, split into wage and fringe benefits.
Trade and classBase + fringesBaseFringesOT Mon–Fri
Oe River 1, Class 1Rivers$76.23 $42.23 $34.00 1.5×
Oe River 2, Class 2Rivers$72.78 $38.78 $34.00 1.5×
Operating Engineer, Class 1All work$76.13 $42.13 $34.00 1.5×
Operating Engineer, Class 2All work$74.23 $40.23 $34.00 1.5×
Operating Engineer, Class 3All work$66.83 $32.83 $34.00 1.5×
Operating Engineer, Class 1Oil & chip$65.60 $31.60 $34.00 1.5×
Operating Engineer, Class 2Oil & chip$64.17 $30.17 $34.00 1.5×
Operating Engineer, Class 3Oil & chip$58.62 $24.62 $34.00 1.5×

How Hamilton 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 Illinois

$76.13Alexander$121.85Cook
HamiltonNearby: White $76.13, Franklin $76.13, Wayne $77.60Each column is a group of counties with about the same main rate; its height is how many. 88 counties pay more than Hamilton, 13 the same, 0 less.

Wage and fringe benefits, nearby

  1. Hamilton Countybase $42.13$76.13
  2. White Countybase $42.13$76.13
  3. Franklin Countybase $42.13$76.13
  4. Wayne Countybase $48.15$77.60

Operating Engineer rates in nearby counties

Current IDOL rates. You pay the rate for the county where the work is done. The Act defines “locality” as the county of the physical work, with narrow exceptions (820 ILCS 130/2).

CountyClassificationBase + fringesBasevs Hamilton County
Jefferson CountyOperating Engineer, Class 1 (building)$91.80 $51.70 +$15.67
Wayne CountyOperating Engineer, Class 1$77.60 $48.15 +$1.47
Hamilton CountyOperating Engineer, Class 1$76.13 $42.13 
White CountyOperating Engineer, Class 1$76.13 $42.13 same
Franklin CountyOperating Engineer, Class 1$76.13 $42.13 same
Saline CountyOperating Engineer, Class 1$76.13 $42.13 same
Gallatin CountyOperating Engineer, Class 1$76.13 $42.13 same

Illinois operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map

More from IDOL on this rate

  • Hamilton County schedule (IDOL PDF, page 2)
  • Work that no listed trade covers: IDOL names a neighboring county's classification to use. Call 217-782-1710.
  • Apprentices: IDOL's county schedules list journeyworker and foreman rates only.

All Hamilton County prevailing wage rates

Are you being paid this rate?

Add your base wage to what your employer pays into health, pension and other plans for you, and compare it with $76.13. Your contractor has to post the rates on the job site or give you written notice of them (820 ILCS 130/4(n)), and file a certified payroll with IDOL by the 15th of each month for the month before (820 ILCS 130/5).

A worker paid less than the prevailing rate can sue for the difference (820 ILCS 130/4(g)).

Source

Illinois Department of Labor, prevailing wage rates for Hamilton County, posted October 19, 2026, page 2: labor.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idol/laws-rules/conmed/documents/fy27/20261019/Hamilton.pdf

Each figure is read from IDOL's PDF and checked by a second, separate reader. IDOL prints no total; ours is re-added independently. How we check · Download Hamilton County as CSV · Report an error