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Operating Engineer prevailing wage, Jackson County group, Illinois (2 counties)
IDOL sets the same operating engineer rates, row for row, in 2 counties: Jackson and Saline. Every figure on this page applies in each of them.
$76.13an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$42.13 base wage + $34.00 fringe benefits · All work
On Illinois public works in each of these 2 counties, 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 the Jackson 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 8 operating engineer rates for each of these counties, from $58.62 to $76.23 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $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.
When does this rate change?
- 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, 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 the Jackson County group
As IDOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- Oe River 1, Class 1Rivers$76.23
- Operating Engineer, Class 1All work$76.13
- Operating Engineer, Class 2All work$74.23
- Oe River 2, Class 2Rivers$72.78
- Operating Engineer, Class 3All work$66.83
- Operating Engineer, Class 1Oil & chip$65.60
- Operating Engineer, Class 2Oil & chip$64.17
- Operating Engineer, Class 3Oil & chip$58.62
| Trade and class | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | OT Mon–Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oe River 1, Class 1Rivers | $42.23 | $34.00 | $76.23 | 1.5× |
| Oe River 2, Class 2Rivers | $38.78 | $34.00 | $72.78 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 1All work | $42.13 | $34.00 | $76.13 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 2All work | $40.23 | $34.00 | $74.23 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 3All work | $32.83 | $34.00 | $66.83 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 1Oil & chip | $31.60 | $34.00 | $65.60 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 2Oil & chip | $30.17 | $34.00 | $64.17 | 1.5× |
| Operating Engineer, Class 3Oil & chip | $24.62 | $34.00 | $58.62 | 1.5× |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Saline 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).
How the Jackson 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
Base wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Jackson County groupbase $42.13$76.13
- Perry Countybase $51.70$91.80
- Union Countybase $42.13$76.13
- Williamson Countybase $42.13$76.13
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 wage | Total rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County group, 3 counties: Cook, Lake, Will | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $68.80 | $121.85 |
| Kane County group, 3 counties: Grundy, Kane, McHenry | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $68.80 | $121.85 |
| DuPage County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $68.80 | $121.85 |
| Kankakee County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $68.80 | $121.85 |
| Kendall County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $68.80 | $121.85 |
| Bureau County* | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $67.00 | $120.05 |
| LaSalle County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $67.00 | $120.05 |
| Livingston County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $67.00 | $120.05 |
| Putnam County* | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $67.00 | $120.05 |
| DeKalb County group, 4 counties: DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $60.75 | $113.65 |
| Boone County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $60.75 | $113.65 |
| Carroll County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $60.75 | $113.65 |
| Stephenson County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $60.75 | $113.65 |
| Whiteside County* | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $60.75 | $113.65 |
| Winnebago County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $60.75 | $113.65 |
| Peoria County group, 11 counties: Hancock, Henderson, Knox, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Woodford | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $49.26 | $95.60 |
| Fulton County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $49.26 | $95.60 |
| Henry County* | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $49.26 | $95.60 |
| Marshall County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $49.26 | $95.60 |
| Madison County group, 13 counties: Bond, Calhoun, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Randolph, St. Clair | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $51.70 | $91.80 |
| Clinton County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $51.70 | $91.80 |
| Perry County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $51.70 | $91.80 |
| Washington County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $51.70 | $91.80 |
| Mercer County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $43.00 | $85.50 |
| Rock Island County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $43.00 | $85.50 |
| Sangamon County group, 13 counties: Adams, Brown, Cass, Christian, Logan, Menard, Morgan, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $44.80 | $80.55 |
| Macon County group, 2 counties: De Witt, Macon | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $44.80 | $80.55 |
| 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 | $48.15 | $77.60 |
| Wabash County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $48.15 | $77.60 |
| Wayne County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $48.15 | $77.60 |
| Williamson County group, 5 counties: Alexander, Gallatin, Union, White, Williamson | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $42.13 | $76.13 |
| Johnson County group, 4 counties: Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $42.13 | $76.13 |
| Jackson County group, 2 counties: Jackson, Saline | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $42.13 | $76.13 |
| Franklin County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $42.13 | $76.13 |
| Hamilton County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $42.13 | $76.13 |
| Hardin County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 | $42.13 | $76.13 |
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.
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, posted October 19, 2026. IDOL prints one schedule per county:
- Jackson County: labor.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idol/laws-rules/conmed/documents/fy27/20261019/Jackson.pdf, page 2
- Saline County: labor.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idol/laws-rules/conmed/documents/fy27/20261019/Saline.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