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Stephenson County · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Stephenson County, Illinois
$113.65an hour, base + fringes
$60.75 wage + $52.90 fringe benefits · Building
On Illinois public works in Stephenson County, 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 Stephenson County. IDOL sorts this trade into numbered classes by equipment or duties, and this is Class 1.
IDOL's Stephenson 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 14 operating engineer rates for Stephenson County, 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 rate in Stephenson 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.
| Construction | Federal classification | Base + fringe | Base | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, GROUP 4 OILERS; HOISTS; INSIDE ELEVATORS; PUSH BUTTON AUTOMATIC DOORS (BOONE, CARROLL, DE KALB, JO DAVIESS, LEE, OGLE, STEPHENSON, …ENGI0150-003 | $102.65 | $51.60 | IL20260001 Mod 6 |
| Building | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, GROUP 3 AIR COMPRESSOR-SMALL 185 AND UNDER (1 TO 5 NOT TO EXCEED A TOTAL OF 300 FT); AIR COMPRESSOR-LARGE OVER 185; …ENGI0150-003 | $104.65 | $53.60 | IL20260001 Mod 6 |
| Building | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, GROUP 2 BOBCAT (OVER 3/4 CU YD); BOILERS; BRICK FORKLIFT; BROOM, POWER PROPELLED; BULLDOZERS; CONCRETE MIXER (TWO BAG AND OVER); …ENGI0150-003 | $107.10 | $56.05 | IL20260001 Mod 6 |
| Building | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, GROUP 1 MECHANIC; ASPHALT PLANT*; ASPHALT SPREADER; AUTOGRADE*; BACKHOES WITH CAISSON ATTACHMENT*: BATCH PLANT*; BENOTO(REQUIRES TWO …ENGI0150-003 | $107.80 | $56.75 | IL20260001 Mod 6 |
| Building | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 3 AIR COMPRESSOR, TRACK OR SELF-PROPELLED; BULK CEMENT BATCHING- PLANTS; CONVEYORS; CONCRETE MIXERS (EXCEPT PLANT, PAVER, TOWER) …ENGI0965-001 | $63.05 | $34.30 | IL20260001 Mod 6 |
| Highway, Heavy | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, GROUP 2 BATCH PLANT; BITUMINOUS MIXER; BOBCATS OVER .75 CU YD; BOILER AND THROTTLE VALVE; BULLDOZER; CAR LOADER TRAILING CONVEYORS; …ENGI0150-004 | $107.10 | $56.05 | IL20260012 Mod 2 |
| Highway, Heavy | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, GROUP 4 AIR COMPRESSOR - SMALL 185 AND UNDER (1 TO 5 NOT TO EXCEED A TOTAL OF 300 FT); AIR COMPRESSOR - LARGE OVER 185; ASPHALT …ENGI0150-004 | $104.35 | $53.30 | IL20260012 Mod 2 |
| Highway, Heavy | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, GROUP 5 OILERS (CARROLL, JO DAVIESS, LEE, OGLE, STEPHENSON, WHITESIDE (EASTERN HALF) AND WINNEBAGO COUNTIES)ENGI0150-004 | $101.90 | $50.85 | IL20260012 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 Stephenson 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
- 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 Stephenson County, 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. TRUCK DRIVER - BUILDING, HEAVY AND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION Class 1. Two or three Axle Trucks. A-frame Truck when used for transportation purposes; Air Compressors and Welding Machines, including those pulled by cars, pick-up trucks and tractors; Ambulances; Batch Gate Lockers; Batch Hopperman; Car and Truck Washers; Carry-alls; Fork Lifts and Hoisters; Helpers; Mechanics Helpers and Greasers; Oil Distributors 2-man operation; Pavement Breakers; Pole Trailer, up to 40 feet; Power Mower Tractors; Self-propelled Chip Spreader; Skipman; Slurry Trucks, 2-man operation; Slurry Truck Conveyor Operation, 2 or 3 man; Teamsters; Unskilled dumpman; and Truck Drivers hauling warning lights, barricades, and portable toilets on the job site. Class 2. Four axle trucks; Dump Crets and Adgetors under 7 yards; Dumpsters, Track Trucks, Euclids, Hug Bottom Dump Turnapulls or Turnatrailers when pulling other than self-loading equipment or similar equipment under 16 cubic yards; Mixer Trucks under 7 yeards; Ready-mix Plant Hopper Operator, and Winch Trucks, 2 Axles. Class 3. Five axle trucks; Dump Crets and Adgetors 7 yards and over; Dumpsters, Track Trucks, Euclids, Hug Bottom Dump Turnatrailers or turnapulls when pulling other than self-loading equipment or similar equipment over 16 cubic yards; Explosives and/or Fission Material Trucks; Mixer Trucks 7 yards or over; Mobile Cranes while in transit; Oil Distributors, 1-man operation; Pole Trailer, over 40 feet; Pole and Expandable Trailers hauling material over 50 feet long; Slurry trucks, 1-man operation; Winch trucks, 3 axles or more; Mechanic--Truck Welder and Truck Painter. Class 4. Six axle trucks; Dual-purpose vehicles, such as mounted crane trucks with hoist and accessories; Foreman; Master Mechanic; Self-loading equipment like P.B. and trucks with scoops on the front. 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 Stephenson County
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 Stephenson 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
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Stephenson Countybase $60.75$113.65
- Carroll Countybase $60.75$113.65
- Winnebago Countybase $60.75$113.65
- McHenry Countybase $68.80$121.85
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).
| County | Classification | Base + fringes | Base | vs Stephenson County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephenson County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 (building) | $113.65 | $60.75 | |
| Carroll County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 (building) | $113.65 | $60.75 | same |
| Winnebago County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 (building) | $113.65 | $60.75 | same |
| Ogle County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 (building) | $113.65 | $60.75 | same |
| Jo Daviess County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 (building) | $113.65 | $60.75 | same |
| Whiteside County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 (building) | $113.65 | $60.75 | same |
| Boone County | Operating Engineer, Class 1 (building) | $113.65 | $60.75 | same |
Illinois operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from IDOL on this rate
- Stephenson 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.
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 for Stephenson County, posted October 19, 2026, page 2: labor.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idol/laws-rules/conmed/documents/fy27/20261019/Stephenson.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 Stephenson County as CSV · Report an error