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Operating Engineer prevailing wage, DeKalb County group, Illinois (4 counties)
IDOL sets the same operating engineer rates, row for row, in 4 counties: DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee and Ogle. Every figure on this page applies in each of them.
$113.65an hour, base + fringes
$60.75 wage + $52.90 fringe benefits · Building
On Illinois public works in each of these 4 counties, an operating engineer must be paid at least $113.65 an hour: a $60.75 base wage plus $52.90 in fringe benefits for health and welfare, pension, vacation, training and other insurance. IDOL lists each part but prints no total, so $113.65 is our sum of its columns. Overtime after 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday, is 2.0 times the base wage. This is IDOL's building rate; it lists separate highway rates for this trade in the DeKalb County group. IDOL sorts this trade into numbered classes by equipment or duties, and this is Class 1.
IDOL's schedule for each of these counties, posted October 19, 2026, for work performed on or after October 19, 2026. Checked against labor.illinois.gov on October 24, 2026.
IDOL lists 14 operating engineer rates for each of these counties, from $108.50 to $117.40 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe: $60.75 + $52.90
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) | $60.75 |
| Health and welfare | $25.95 |
| Pension | $21.00 |
| Vacation and holiday | $3.00 |
| Training | $2.95 |
| Base + fringes (our sum; IDOL prints no total) | $113.65 |
Foreman base wage: $64.75 an hour, with the same fringe benefits.
Davis-Bacon operating engineer rates in these counties
The counties share IDOL's rates, but not always the same federal wage determination. 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.
| County | Federal classification | Base + fringe | WD | vs IDOL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Jo Daviess County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Lee County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Ogle County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
Holidays
IDOL's schedule for each of these counties: “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
- Illinois rates don't lock at bid. When IDOL revises a rate, “the revised rate shall apply to such contract” from its effective date, including jobs already under way (820 ILCS 130/4(l)).
- A missing notice is no excuse. A public body's failure to send the new rates “does not relieve the contractor of the duty to comply”, or of paying back wages (820 ILCS 130/4(g), (j)).
- IDOL surveys in June and must publish the year's schedule by July 15 (820 ILCS 130/9), then posts revisions through the year. In 2026 its postings took effect on Jan 15, Mar 2, Apr 15, May 21, Jul 15, Aug 15, Sep 21 and Oct 19, 2026. Each posting replaces all 102 county schedules.
- This page uses the posting for work performed on or after October 19, 2026 (IDOL current rates; older postings are on IDOL's historical rates page).
What each class covers
IDOL's explanation of classes for these counties (the same text in each schedule), copied as printed. The class number on a row decides its rate.
OPERATING ENGINEERS - BUILDING
Class 1. Asphalt Plant; Asphalt Spreader; Autograde; Backhoes with Caisson Attachment; Batch Plant; Benoto (requires Two Engineers); Boiler and Throttle Valve; Caisson Rigs; Central Redi-Mix Plant; Combination Back Hoe Front End-loader Machine; Compressor and Throttle Valve; Concrete Breaker (Truck Mounted); Concrete Conveyor; Concrete Paver (over 27E cu. ft.): Concrete Paver (27 cu. ft. and under); Concrete Placer; Concrete Pump (Truck Mounted); Concrete Conveyor (Truck Mounted); Concrete Tower; Cranes, All; GCI and similar types (required two operators only); Cranes, Hammerhead; Creter Crane; Crusher, Stone, etc.; Derricks, All; Derricks, Traveling; Formless Curb and Gutter Machine; Grader, Elevating; Grouting Machines; Highlift Shovels or Front Endloader 2-1/4 yd. and over; Hoists, Elevators, outside type rack and pinion and similar machines; Hoists, one, two and three Drum; Hoists, Two Tugger One Floor; Hydraulic Backhoes; Hydraulic Boom Trucks; Hydro Vac (and similar equipment - excluding hose work and any sewer work); Locomotives, All; Lubrication Technician; Manipulators; Motor Patrol; Pile Drivers and Skid Rig; Post Hole Digger; Pre-Stress Machine; Pump Cretes Dual Ram; Pump Cretes: Squeeze Cretes - Screw Type Pumps, Gypsum Bulker and Pump; Raised and Blind Hole Drill; Rock Drill (self-propelled); Rock Drill - Truck Mounted; Roto Mill Grinder; Scoops - Tractor Drawn; Slipform Paver; Scrapers Prime Movers; Straddle Buggies; Tie Back Machine; Tractor with Boom and Side Boom; Trenching Machines. Class 2. Bobcat (over 3/4 cu. yd.); Boilers; Brick Forklift; Broom, All Power Propelled; Bulldozers; Concrete Mixer (Two Bag and Over); Conveyor, Portable; Forklift Trucks; Highlift Shovels or Front Endloaders under 2-1/4 yd.; Hoists, Automatic; Hoists, Sewer Dragging Machine; Hoists, Tugger Single Drum; Laser Screed; Rollers, All; Steam Generators; Tractors, All; Tractor Drawn Vibratory Roller; Winch Trucks with "A" Frame. Class 3. Air Compressor; Asphalt Spreader; Combination - Small Equipment Operator; Generators; Heaters, Mechanical; Hoists, Inside Elevators - (Rheostat Manual Controlled); Hydraulic Power Units (Pile Driving, Extracting, or Drilling - with a seat); Lowboys; Pumps, Over 3" (1 to 3 not to exceed total of 300 ft.); Pumps, Well Points; Welding Machines (2 through 5); Winches, 4 Small Electric Drill Winches; Bobcat (up to and including 3/4 cu. yd.). Class 4. Elevator push button with automatic doors; Hoists, Inside; Oilers; Brick Forklift. Class 5. Assistant Craft Foreman Class 6. Mechanics; Welders. Class 7. Gradall
OPERATING ENGINEERS - HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION
Class 1. Asphalt Plant; Asphalt Heater and Planer Combination; Asphalt Heater Scarfire; Asphalt Silo Tender; Asphalt Spreader; Autograder; ABG Paver; Backhoes with Caisson Attachment; Ballast Regulator; Belt Loader; Caisson Rigs; Car Dumper; Central Redi-Mix Plant; Backhoe w/shear attachments; Combination Backhoe Front Endloader Machine, (1 cu. yd. Backhoe Bucket or over or with attachments); Concrete Breaker (Truck Mounted); Concrete Conveyor; Concrete Paver over 27E cu. ft.; Concrete Placer; Concrete Tube Float; Cranes, all attachments; Cranes, Tower of all types; Creter Crane; Crusher, Stone, etc.; Derricks, All; Derrick Boats; Derricks, Traveling; Directional Boring Machine over 12"; Dredges; Formless Curb and Gutter Machine; Grader, Elevating; Grader, Motor Grader, Motor Patrol, Auto Patrol, Form Grader, Pull Grader, Subgrader; Guard Rail Post Driver Mounted; Hoists, One, Two and Three Drum; Hydraulic Backhoes; Hydro Vac, Self Propelled, Truck Mounted (excluding hose work and any sewer work); Lubrication Technician; Manipulators; Pile Drivers and Skid Rig; Pre-Stress Machine; Pump Cretes Dual Ram; Rock Drill - Crawler or Skid Rig; Rock Drill - Truck Mounted; Rock/Track Tamper; Roto Mill Grinder; Slip-Form Paver; Snow Melters; Soil Test Drill Rig (Truck Mounted); Straddle Buggies; GCI Crane; Hydraulic Telescoping Form (Tunnel); Tie Back Machine; Tractor Drawn Belt Loader; Tractor Drawn Belt Loader with attached pusher; Tractor with Boom; Tractaire with Attachments; Traffic Barrier Conveyor Machine; Raised or Blind Hole Drills; Trenching Machine (over 12"); Truck Mounted Concrete Pump with Boom; Truck Mounted Concrete Conveyor; Work Boat (no license required - 90 h.p. or above); Underground Boring and/or Mining Machines; Wheel Excavator; Widener (APSCO). Class 2. Batch Plant; Bituminous Mixer; Boiler and Throttle Valve; Bulldozers; Car Loader Trailing Conveyors; Combination Backhoe Front Endloader Machine (less than 1 cu. yd. Backhoe Bucket or over or with attachments); Compressor and Throttle Valve; Compressor, Common Receiver (3); Concrete Breaker or Hydro Hammer; Concrete Grinding Machine; Concrete Mixer or Paver 7S Series to and including 27 cu. ft.; Concrete Spreader; Concrete Curing Machine, Burlap Machine, Belting Machine and Sealing Machine; Concrete Wheel Saw (large self-propelled - excluding walk-behinds and hand-held); Conveyor Muck Cars (Haglund or Similar Type); Drills, all; Finishing Machine - Concrete; Highlift Shovels or Front Endloader; Hoist - Sewer Dragging Machine; Hydraulic Boom Trucks (All Attachments); Hydro Blaster; All Locomotives, Dinky; Off-Road Hauling Units; Non-Self Loading Dump; Ejection Dump; Pump Cretes: Squeeze Cretes - Screw Type Pumps, Gypsum Bulker and Pump; Roller, Asphalt; Rotary Snow Plows; Rototiller, Seaman, etc., self-propelled; Scoops - Tractor Drawn; Self-Propelled Compactor; Spreader - Chip - Stone, etc.; Scraper; Scraper - Prime Mover in Tandem (Regardless of Size); Tank Car Heater; Tractors, Push, Pulling Sheeps Foot, Disc, Compactor, etc.; Tug Boats. Class 3. Boilers; Brooms, All Power Propelled; Cement Supply Tender; Compressor, Common Receiver (2); Concrete Mixer (Two Bag and Over); Conveyor, Portable; Farm-Type Tractors Used for Mowing, Seeding, etc.; Fireman on Boilers; Forklift Trucks; Grouting Machine; Hoists, Automatic; Hoists, All Elevators; Hoists, Tugger Single Drum; Jeep Diggers; Low Boys; Pipe Jacking Machines; Post-Hole Digger; Power Saw, Concrete Power Driven; Pug Mills; Rollers, other than asphalt; Seed and Straw Blower; Steam Generators; Stump Machine; Winch Trucks with "A" Frame; Work Boats; Tamper - Form - Motor Driven. Class 4. Air Compressor - Small and Large; Asphalt Spreader, Backend Man; Bobcat (Skid Steer) all; Brick Forklift; Combination - Small Equipment Operator; Directional Boring Machine up to 12"; Generators; Heaters, Mechanical; Hydraulic Power Unit (Pile Driving, Extracting, or Drilling); Hydro-Blaster; Light Plants, All (1 through 5); Pumps, over 3" (1 to 3 not to exceed a total of 300 ft.); Pumps, Well Points; Tractaire; Trencher 12" and under; Welding Machines (2 through 5); Winches, 4 Small Electric Drill Winches. Class 5. Oilers and Directional Boring Machine Locator. Class 6. Field Mechanics and Field Welders Class 7. Gradall and machines of like nature.
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 the DeKalb County group
As IDOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- Operating Engineer, Class 5Building$117.40
- Operating Engineer, Class 6Building$116.65
- Operating Engineer, Class 6Highway$116.50
- Operating Engineer, Class 7Highway$114.50
- Operating Engineer, Class 1Building$113.65
- Operating Engineer, Class 7Building$113.65
- Operating Engineer, Class 1Highway$113.50
- Operating Engineer, Class 2Building$112.95
- Operating Engineer, Class 2Highway$112.95
- Operating Engineer, Class 3Highway$111.65
- Operating Engineer, Class 3Building$110.50
- Operating Engineer, Class 4Highway$110.20
- Operating Engineer, Class 5Highway$108.75
- Operating Engineer, Class 4Building$108.50
| Trade and class | Base + fringes | Base | Fringes | OT Mon–Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Engineer, Class 1Building | $113.65 | $60.75 | $52.90 | 2.0× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 2Building | $112.95 | $60.05 | $52.90 | 2.0× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 3Building | $110.50 | $57.60 | $52.90 | 2.0× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 4Building | $108.50 | $55.60 | $52.90 | 2.0× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 5Building | $117.40 | $64.50 | $52.90 | 2.0× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 6Building | $116.65 | $63.75 | $52.90 | 2.0× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 7Building | $113.65 | $60.75 | $52.90 | 2.0× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 1Highway | $113.50 | $60.60 | $52.90 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 2Highway | $112.95 | $60.05 | $52.90 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 3Highway | $111.65 | $58.75 | $52.90 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 4Highway | $110.20 | $57.30 | $52.90 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 5Highway | $108.75 | $55.85 | $52.90 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 6Highway | $116.50 | $63.60 | $52.90 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 7Highway | $114.50 | $61.60 | $52.90 | 1.5× |
How the DeKalb County group 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
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- DeKalb County groupbase $60.75$113.65
- Kane Countybase $68.80$121.85
- Kendall Countybase $68.80$121.85
- Lee Countybase $60.75$113.65
Which county is in which operating engineer group
Every Illinois county with a operating engineer rate. Counties IDOL treats alike share one page; the rest have their own. You pay the rate for the county where the work is done.
| Counties | Main classification | Base + fringes | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County group, 3 counties: Cook, Lake, Will | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $121.85 | $68.80 |
| Kane County group, 3 counties: Grundy, Kane, McHenry | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $121.85 | $68.80 |
| DuPage County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $121.85 | $68.80 |
| Kankakee County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $121.85 | $68.80 |
| Kendall County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $121.85 | $68.80 |
| Bureau County* | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $120.05 | $67.00 |
| LaSalle County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $120.05 | $67.00 |
| Livingston County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $120.05 | $67.00 |
| Putnam County* | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $120.05 | $67.00 |
| DeKalb County group, 4 counties: DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $113.65 | $60.75 |
| Boone County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $113.65 | $60.75 |
| Carroll County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $113.65 | $60.75 |
| Stephenson County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $113.65 | $60.75 |
| Whiteside County* | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $113.65 | $60.75 |
| Winnebago County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $113.65 | $60.75 |
| Peoria County group, 11 counties: Hancock, Henderson, Knox, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Woodford | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $95.60 | $49.26 |
| Fulton County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $95.60 | $49.26 |
| Henry County* | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $95.60 | $49.26 |
| Marshall County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $95.60 | $49.26 |
| Madison County group, 13 counties: Bond, Calhoun, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Randolph, St. Clair | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $91.80 | $51.70 |
| Clinton County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $91.80 | $51.70 |
| Perry County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $91.80 | $51.70 |
| Washington County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $91.80 | $51.70 |
| Mercer County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $85.50 | $43.00 |
| Rock Island County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $85.50 | $43.00 |
| Sangamon County group, 13 counties: Adams, Brown, Cass, Christian, Logan, Menard, Morgan, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $80.55 | $44.80 |
| Macon County group, 2 counties: De Witt, Macon | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $80.55 | $44.80 |
| Champaign County group, 17 counties: Champaign, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Edwards, Effingham, Ford, Iroquois, Jasper, Lawrence, Moultrie, Richland, Vermilion | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $77.60 | $48.15 |
| Wabash County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $77.60 | $48.15 |
| Wayne County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $77.60 | $48.15 |
| Williamson County group, 5 counties: Alexander, Gallatin, Union, White, Williamson | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $76.13 | $42.13 |
| Johnson County group, 4 counties: Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $76.13 | $42.13 |
| Jackson County group, 2 counties: Jackson, Saline | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $76.13 | $42.13 |
| Franklin County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $76.13 | $42.13 |
| Hamilton County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $76.13 | $42.13 |
| Hardin County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $76.13 | $42.13 |
11 groups of counties with identical IDOL rates, and 25 counties with rates of their own. * Rate set by region inside the county; its page lists each region's rate.
Illinois operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from IDOL on this rate
- Each county's IDOL schedule (PDF) is listed under Source below.
- 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.
Every trade's rates, county by county: DeKalb · Jo Daviess · Lee · Ogle
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 $113.65. 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, posted October 19, 2026. IDOL prints one schedule per county:
- DeKalb County: labor.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idol/laws-rules/conmed/documents/fy27/20261019/DeKalb.pdf, page 2
- Jo Daviess County: labor.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idol/laws-rules/conmed/documents/fy27/20261019/Jo Daviess.pdf, page 2
- Lee County: labor.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idol/laws-rules/conmed/documents/fy27/20261019/Lee.pdf, page 2
- Ogle County: labor.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idol/laws-rules/conmed/documents/fy27/20261019/Ogle.pdf, page 2
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 every Illinois rate as CSV · Report an error