Home / Iowa / Des Moines County / Operating Engineer
Des Moines County, IA · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Des Moines County, Iowa
$20.70an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$18.00 base wage + $2.70 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUIA2016-014
$16.00an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$16.00 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR · SUIA2008-009
$52.37an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$35.32 base wage + $17.05 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP A - All terrain (off road) forklift; asphalt breakdown roller (vibratory); asphalt laydown machine; asphalt plant; asphalt screed; bulldozer (finish); central mix plant; concrete pump; crane; crawler tractor pulling scraper; directional drill (60,000 (lbs) pullback and above); dragline and power shovel; dredge engineer; excavator (over 1/2 cu. yd.); front end loader (4 cy and over); horizontal boring machine; master mechanic; milling machine (over 350 hp); motor grader (finish); push cat; rubber tired backhoe (over 1/2 cu. yd.); scraper (12 cu. yd. and over or finish); Self-propelled rotary mixer/road reclaimer; sidebroom tractor; slipform portland concrete paver; tow or push boat; trenching machine (Cleveland 80 or similar) ZONE 5 (All areas of the state not listed.) · SAIA2026-001
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Des Moines County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $20.70 an hour: a $18.00 base wage plus $2.70 in fringe benefits, under wage determination IA20260041 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $20.70 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination IA20260041, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUIA2016-014 (July 19, 2016). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted residential construction in Des Moines County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $16.00 an hour: a $16.00 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination IA20260012 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $16.00 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination IA20260012, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for residential construction; rate identifier SUIA2008-009 (September 5, 2008). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway and heavy construction in Des Moines County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $52.37 an hour: a $35.32 base wage plus $17.05 in fringe benefits, under wage determination IA20260028 (modification 4). DOL prints no total, so $52.37 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination IA20260028, modification 4, published June 25, 2026, for highway and heavy construction; rate identifier SAIA2026-001 (May 13, 2026). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). Iowa has no state prevailing wage law (DOL state table).
DOL lists 20 operating engineer rates for Des Moines County, from $16.00 to $84.75 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $18.00 + $2.70
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) | $18.00 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $2.70 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $20.70 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $16.00 + $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) | $16.00 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $16.00 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $35.32 + $17.05
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) | $35.32 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $17.05 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $52.37 |
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 Iowa change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Des Moines County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEBuilding · ENGI0150-037$84.75
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP 1 CRANE (FRICTION OR HYDRAULIC, REGARDLESS OF SIZE OR ATTACHMENTS); TOW OR PUSH BOAT (CEDAR, CLINTON, DES MOINES, LEE, LOUISA, MUSCATINE AND SCOTT COUNTIE S)Heavy · ENGI0150-008$84.75
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuilding · ENGI0150-010$82.75
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP 2 ASPHALT HEATER-PLANER UNIT; ASPHALT PAVER; ASPHALT PAVER SCREED; ASPHALT PLANT; AUTOMATIC CURBING MACHINE; BACKFILLER (THROW BUCKET); BLASTHOLER SELF-PROPELLED ROTARY DRILL OR SIMILAR MACHINES; BOOM TRACTOR OR SIDE BOOM; BORING MACHINE (DIRECTIONAL, VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL); BUILDING HOIST (1,2 OR 3 DRUMS); CAISSON AUGURING MACHINES; CENTRAL REDI-MIX PLANT; CHIP SPREADER; CLEANING & PRIMING MACHINE; COMBINATION BACKHOE FRONT END LOADER; COMBINATION CONCRETE FINISHING MACHINE AND FLOAT; CONCRETE BREAKER OR HYDRO-HAMMER; CONCRETE CONVEYOR OR PUMP; CONCRETE PAVER; CONCRETE SPREADER; CONCRETE WHEEL SAW (LARGE SELF-PROPELLED); CRUSHER (STONE, CONCRETE, ASPHALT, ETC.); CURING-TINNING MACHINE; DIPPER DREDGE CRANE MAN; DIPPER DREDGE OPERATOR; DUAL PURPOSE TRUCK (BOOM, WINCH, ETC.); EXCAVATOR; FARM-TYPE TRACTOR OPERATING SCOOP OR SCRAPER OR WITH POWER ATTACHMENT; FORKLIFT (6000 LB. CAPACITY); GRADER, MOTOR GRADER, MOTOR PATROL, AUTO GRADER, FORM GRADER, PULL GRADER, SUB GRADER, ELEVATING GRADER; GROUP EQUIPMENT GREASER; GUARD RAIL POST DRIVER; HOISTS; HYDRAULIC DREDGE LEVERMAN OR ENGINEER; HYDRO-VAC TRUCK MOUNTED OR PULL TYPE, AND SIMILAR EQUIPMENT; LASER SCREED; LOADER (TRACK, RUBBER TIRE OR ARTICULATED); LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER; MECHANIC-WELDER; MECHANICAL LOADED LOG CHIPPERS OR SIMILAR MACHINES; MILLING MACHINE; MUCKING MACHINE; PILE DRIVER; PIPE BENDING; PUG MILL; ROAD WIDENER-SHOULDER SPREADER; SCRAPER (SELF-PROPELLED); SELF-PROPELLED ROLLER OR TIRE ROLLER (ON ASPHALT OR BLACKTOP), SHEEP FOOT OR PAD FOOT COMPACTOR; SHOVEL; SLIP FORM PAVER; STEEL TRACK-TYPE TRACTOR (DOZER, PUSH CAT, ETC.); TRANSFER OR SHUTTLE BUGGY; TRENCHING MACHINE (40 H.P. & OVER); WORK BOAT. (CEDAR, CLINTON, DES MOINES, LEE, LOUISA, MUSCATINE AND SCOTT COUNTIES)Heavy · ENGI0150-008$82.75
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP 4 AIR COMPRESSOR (400 C.F.M. OR OVER); COMPACT LOADER (RUBBER TIRE, TRACK & UTILITY); ENGINE DRIVEN WELDING MACHINE; MECHANICAL HEATER (OTHER THAN STEAM BOILER); SMALL OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT (SAFETY BOAT & LIFE BOAT); WATER PUMP (MORE THAN ONE WELL POINT PUMP). (CEDAR, CLINTON, DES MOINES, LEE, LOUISA, MUSCATINE AND SCOTT COUNTIES)Heavy · ENGI0150-008$79.05
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP A (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSISSIPPI RIVER)Heavy · ENGI0234-002$62.22
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP A (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSOURI RIVER)Heavy · ENGI0234-002$61.74
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP B (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSISSIPPI RIVER)Heavy · ENGI0234-002$61.53
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP B (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSOURI RIVER)Heavy · ENGI0234-002$61.07
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP A - All terrain (off road) forklift; asphalt breakdown roller (vibratory); asphalt laydown machine; asphalt plant; asphalt screed; bulldozer (finish); central mix plant; concrete pump; crane; crawler tractor pulling scraper; directional drill (60,000 (lbs) pullback and above); dragline and power shovel; dredge engineer; excavator (over 1/2 cu. yd.); front end loader (4 cy and over); horizontal boring machine; master mechanic; milling machine (over 350 hp); motor grader (finish); push cat; rubber tired backhoe (over 1/2 cu. yd.); scraper (12 cu. yd. and over or finish); Self-propelled rotary mixer/road reclaimer; sidebroom tractor; slipform portland concrete paver; tow or push boat; trenching machine (Cleveland 80 or similar) ZONE 2 (The Counties of Dubuque for all Crafts and Linn County for all Crafts except Carpenters.)Highway, Heavy · SAIA2026-001$59.20
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP C (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSISSIPPI RIVER)Heavy · ENGI0234-002$59.20
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP C (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSOURI RIVER)Heavy · ENGI0234-002$58.81
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP D - Boiler; compressor; cure and texture machine; dow box; farm type or utility tractor (under 75 hp.) pulling disk, roller or other attachments; group greaser tender; light plants; mechanic tender; mechanical broom; mechanical heaters; oiler; pumps (under three inch diameter); tree chipping machine; truck crane driver/oiler. ZONE 2 (The Counties of Dubuque for all Crafts and Linn County for all Crafts except Carpenters.)Highway, Heavy · SAIA2026-001$55.05
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP A - All terrain (off road) forklift; asphalt breakdown roller (vibratory); asphalt laydown machine; asphalt plant; asphalt screed; bulldozer (finish); central mix plant; concrete pump; crane; crawler tractor pulling scraper; directional drill (60,000 (lbs) pullback and above); dragline and power shovel; dredge engineer; excavator (over 1/2 cu. yd.); front end loader (4 cy and over); horizontal boring machine; master mechanic; milling machine (over 350 hp); motor grader (finish); push cat; rubber tired backhoe (over 1/2 cu. yd.); scraper (12 cu. yd. and over or finish); Self-propelled rotary mixer/road reclaimer; sidebroom tractor; slipform portland concrete paver; tow or push boat; trenching machine (Cleveland 80 or similar) ZONE 5 (All areas of the state not listed.)Highway, Heavy · SAIA2026-001$52.37
- OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuilding · SUIA2016-014$50.40
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP D - Boiler; compressor; cure and texture machine; dow box; farm type or utility tractor (under 75 hp.) pulling disk, roller or other attachments; group greaser tender; light plants; mechanic tender; mechanical broom; mechanical heaters; oiler; pumps (under three inch diameter); tree chipping machine; truck crane driver/oiler. ZONE 5 (All areas of the state not listed)Highway, Heavy · SAIA2026-001$48.60
- OPERATOR: LOADERBuilding · SUIA2016-014$42.99
- OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuilding · SUIA2016-014$30.67
- OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuilding · SUIA2016-014$20.70
- OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATORResidential · SUIA2008-009$16.00
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuildingENGI0150-010 | $41.50 | $41.25 | $82.75 | IA20260041 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEBuildingENGI0150-037 | $43.50 | $41.25 | $84.75 | IA20260041 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERBuildingSUIA2016-014 | $25.80 | $17.19 | $42.99 | IA20260041 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuildingSUIA2016-014 | $22.31 | $8.36 | $30.67 | IA20260041 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingSUIA2016-014 | $27.55 | $22.85 | $50.40 | IA20260041 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUIA2016-014 | $18.00 | $2.70 | $20.70 | IA20260041 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP A - All terrain (off road) forklift; asphalt breakdown roller (vibratory); asphalt laydown machine; asphalt plant; asphalt screed; bulldozer (finish); central mix plant; concrete pump; crane; crawler tractor pulling scraper; directional drill (60,000 (lbs) pullback and above); dragline and power shovel; dredge engineer; excavator (over 1/2 cu. yd.); front end loader (4 cy and over); horizontal boring machine; master mechanic; milling machine (over 350 hp); motor grader (finish); push cat; rubber tired backhoe (over 1/2 cu. yd.); scraper (12 cu. yd. and over or finish); Self-propelled rotary mixer/road reclaimer; sidebroom tractor; slipform portland concrete paver; tow or push boat; trenching machine (Cleveland 80 or similar) ZONE 5 (All areas of the state not listed.)Highway, HeavySAIA2026-001 POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP A - All terrain (off road) forklift; asphalt breakdown roller (vibratory); asphalt laydown machine; asphalt plant; asphalt screed; bulldozer (finish); central mix plant; concrete pump; crane; crawler tractor pulling scraper; directional drill (60,000 (lbs) pullback and above); dragline and power shovel; dredge engineer; excavator (over 1/2 cu. yd.); front end loader (4 cy and over); horizontal boring machine; master mechanic; milling machine (over 350 hp); motor grader (finish); push cat; rubber tired backhoe (over 1/2 cu. yd.); scraper (12 cu. yd. and over or finish); Self-propelled rotary mixer/road reclaimer; sidebroom tractor; slipform portland concrete paver; tow or push boat; trenching machine (Cleveland 80 or similar) ZONE 5 (All areas of the state not listed.) | $35.32 | $17.05 | $52.37 | IA20260028 Mod 4 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP A - All terrain (off road) forklift; asphalt breakdown roller (vibratory); asphalt laydown machine; asphalt plant; asphalt screed; bulldozer (finish); central mix plant; concrete pump; crane; crawler tractor pulling scraper; directional drill (60,000 (lbs) pullback and above); dragline and power shovel; dredge engineer; excavator (over 1/2 cu. yd.); front end loader (4 cy and over); horizontal boring machine; master mechanic; milling machine (over 350 hp); motor grader (finish); push cat; rubber tired backhoe (over 1/2 cu. yd.); scraper (12 cu. yd. and over or finish); Self-propelled rotary mixer/road reclaimer; sidebroom tractor; slipform portland concrete paver; tow or push boat; trenching machine (Cleveland 80 or similar) ZONE 2 (The Counties of Dubuque for all Crafts and Linn County for all Crafts except Carpenters.)Highway, HeavySAIA2026-001 | $39.82 | $19.38 | $59.20 | IA20260028 Mod 4 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP D - Boiler; compressor; cure and texture machine; dow box; farm type or utility tractor (under 75 hp.) pulling disk, roller or other attachments; group greaser tender; light plants; mechanic tender; mechanical broom; mechanical heaters; oiler; pumps (under three inch diameter); tree chipping machine; truck crane driver/oiler. ZONE 5 (All areas of the state not listed)Highway, HeavySAIA2026-001 POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP D - Boiler; compressor; cure and texture machine; dow box; farm type or utility tractor (under 75 hp.) pulling disk, roller or other attachments; group greaser tender; light plants; mechanic tender; mechanical broom; mechanical heaters; oiler; pumps (under three inch diameter); tree chipping machine; truck crane driver/oiler. ZONE 5 (All areas of the state not listed) | $31.55 | $17.05 | $48.60 | IA20260028 Mod 4 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP D - Boiler; compressor; cure and texture machine; dow box; farm type or utility tractor (under 75 hp.) pulling disk, roller or other attachments; group greaser tender; light plants; mechanic tender; mechanical broom; mechanical heaters; oiler; pumps (under three inch diameter); tree chipping machine; truck crane driver/oiler. ZONE 2 (The Counties of Dubuque for all Crafts and Linn County for all Crafts except Carpenters.)Highway, HeavySAIA2026-001 | $35.67 | $19.38 | $55.05 | IA20260028 Mod 4 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP 1 CRANE (FRICTION OR HYDRAULIC, REGARDLESS OF SIZE OR ATTACHMENTS); TOW OR PUSH BOAT (CEDAR, CLINTON, DES MOINES, LEE, LOUISA, MUSCATINE AND SCOTT COUNTIE S)HeavyENGI0150-008 | $43.50 | $41.25 | $84.75 | IA20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP 2 ASPHALT HEATER-PLANER UNIT; ASPHALT PAVER; ASPHALT PAVER SCREED; ASPHALT PLANT; AUTOMATIC CURBING MACHINE; BACKFILLER (THROW BUCKET); BLASTHOLER SELF-PROPELLED ROTARY DRILL OR SIMILAR MACHINES; BOOM TRACTOR OR SIDE BOOM; BORING MACHINE (DIRECTIONAL, VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL); BUILDING HOIST (1,2 OR 3 DRUMS); CAISSON AUGURING MACHINES; CENTRAL REDI-MIX PLANT; CHIP SPREADER; CLEANING & PRIMING MACHINE; COMBINATION BACKHOE FRONT END LOADER; COMBINATION CONCRETE FINISHING MACHINE AND FLOAT; CONCRETE BREAKER OR HYDRO-HAMMER; CONCRETE CONVEYOR OR PUMP; CONCRETE PAVER; CONCRETE SPREADER; CONCRETE WHEEL SAW (LARGE SELF-PROPELLED); CRUSHER (STONE, CONCRETE, ASPHALT, ETC.); CURING-TINNING MACHINE; DIPPER DREDGE CRANE MAN; DIPPER DREDGE OPERATOR; DUAL PURPOSE TRUCK (BOOM, WINCH, ETC.); EXCAVATOR; FARM-TYPE TRACTOR OPERATING SCOOP OR SCRAPER OR WITH POWER ATTACHMENT; FORKLIFT (6000 LB. CAPACITY); GRADER, MOTOR GRADER, MOTOR PATROL, AUTO GRADER, FORM GRADER, PULL GRADER, SUB GRADER, ELEVATING GRADER; GROUP EQUIPMENT GREASER; GUARD RAIL POST DRIVER; HOISTS; HYDRAULIC DREDGE LEVERMAN OR ENGINEER; HYDRO-VAC TRUCK MOUNTED OR PULL TYPE, AND SIMILAR EQUIPMENT; LASER SCREED; LOADER (TRACK, RUBBER TIRE OR ARTICULATED); LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER; MECHANIC-WELDER; MECHANICAL LOADED LOG CHIPPERS OR SIMILAR MACHINES; MILLING MACHINE; MUCKING MACHINE; PILE DRIVER; PIPE BENDING; PUG MILL; ROAD WIDENER-SHOULDER SPREADER; SCRAPER (SELF-PROPELLED); SELF-PROPELLED ROLLER OR TIRE ROLLER (ON ASPHALT OR BLACKTOP), SHEEP FOOT OR PAD FOOT COMPACTOR; SHOVEL; SLIP FORM PAVER; STEEL TRACK-TYPE TRACTOR (DOZER, PUSH CAT, ETC.); TRANSFER OR SHUTTLE BUGGY; TRENCHING MACHINE (40 H.P. & OVER); WORK BOAT. (CEDAR, CLINTON, DES MOINES, LEE, LOUISA, MUSCATINE AND SCOTT COUNTIES)HeavyENGI0150-008 | $41.50 | $41.25 | $82.75 | IA20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP 4 AIR COMPRESSOR (400 C.F.M. OR OVER); COMPACT LOADER (RUBBER TIRE, TRACK & UTILITY); ENGINE DRIVEN WELDING MACHINE; MECHANICAL HEATER (OTHER THAN STEAM BOILER); SMALL OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT (SAFETY BOAT & LIFE BOAT); WATER PUMP (MORE THAN ONE WELL POINT PUMP). (CEDAR, CLINTON, DES MOINES, LEE, LOUISA, MUSCATINE AND SCOTT COUNTIES)HeavyENGI0150-008 | $37.80 | $41.25 | $79.05 | IA20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP A (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSISSIPPI RIVER)HeavyENGI0234-002 | $44.07 | $18.15 | $62.22 | IA20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP A (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSOURI RIVER)HeavyENGI0234-002 | $43.59 | $18.15 | $61.74 | IA20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP B (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSISSIPPI RIVER)HeavyENGI0234-002 | $43.38 | $18.15 | $61.53 | IA20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP B (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSOURI RIVER)HeavyENGI0234-002 | $42.92 | $18.15 | $61.07 | IA20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP C (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSISSIPPI RIVER)HeavyENGI0234-002 | $41.05 | $18.15 | $59.20 | IA20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GROUP C (REMAINING COUNTIES MISSOURI RIVER)HeavyENGI0234-002 | $40.66 | $18.15 | $58.81 | IA20260002 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATORResidentialSUIA2008-009 | $16.00 | $0.00 | $16.00 | IA20260012 Mod 1 |
How Des Moines 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 Iowa
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Des Moines Countybase $18.00$20.70
- Henry Countybase $35.02$56.96
- Louisa Countybase $43.50$84.75
- Lee Countybase $43.50$84.75
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 Des Moines County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisa County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CLASS 1- CRANE (LOUISA COUNTY) | $43.50 | $84.75 | +$64.05 |
| Lee County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE | $43.50 | $84.75 | +$64.05 |
| Henry County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CLASS 1- FORKLIFT (ON STEEL ERECTION AND MACHINERY MOVING OR HOISTING ABOVE ONE COMPLETE STORY) (HENRY, JEFFERSON, KEOKUK, MAHASKA, MONONA AND VAN BUREN COUNTIES) | $35.02 | $56.96 | +$36.26 |
| Jefferson County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CLASS 1- FORKLIFT (ON STEEL ERECTION AND MACHINERY MOVING OR HOISTING ABOVE ONE COMPLETE STORY) (HENRY, JEFFERSON, KEOKUK, MAHASKA, MONONA AND VAN BUREN COUNTIES) | $35.02 | $56.96 | +$36.26 |
| Muscatine County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $27.31 | $42.66 | +$21.96 |
| Washington County | OPERATOR: CRANE | $24.15 | $32.25 | +$11.55 |
| Des Moines County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $18.00 | $20.70 |
Iowa 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 IA20260041 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/IA20260041/1
We read every active Iowa 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 Des Moines County as CSV · Report an error