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Kentucky · Operating Engineer · 12 counties

Operating Engineer prevailing wage, Barren County group, Kentucky (12 counties)

DOL sets the same operating engineer rates, row for row, in 12 counties: Barren, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, Hart, Knox, McCreary, Metcalfe, Russell, Taylor and Wayne. Every figure on this page applies in each of them.

$54.59an hour, base + fringe

$34.99 wage + $19.60 fringe benefits · Building · ENGI0181-084

On federally funded or assisted building construction in each of these 12 counties, an operating engineer must be paid at least $54.59 an hour: a $34.99 base wage plus $19.60 in fringe benefits, under wage determination KY20260042 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $54.59 is our sum of the two.

Wage determination KY20260042, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier ENGI0181-084 (June 1, 2025). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.

Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). Kentucky repealed its law in 2017 (HB 3), which also bars local prevailing wage rules (17RS HB 3).

DOL lists 16 operating engineer rates for each of these counties, from $29.17 to $61.58 an hour. See all of them.

Base wage and fringe benefits: $34.99 + $19.60

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)$34.99
Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized)$19.60
Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total)$54.59

When this rate changes

Every operating engineer rate in the Barren County group

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

  1. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuilding · ENGI0181-083$61.58
  2. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE CRANES WITH BOOM 150 FEET & OVER, INCLUDING JIB, SHALL RECEIVE $.75 ABOVE THE WAGE RATE. ALL CRANES WITH PILING LEADS WILL RECEIVE $.50 ABOVE THE WAGE, REGARDLESS OF BOOM LENGTHBuilding · ENGI0181-085$61.58
  3. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuilding · ENGI0181-086$61.58
  4. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuilding · ENGI0181-092$61.58
  5. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)Building · ENGI0181-084$54.59
  6. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 1 CRANE; DRILL; GRADER/BLADE; MECHANIC; SCRAPER OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS OPERATING CRANES, WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUAL OR EXCEEDS 150 FEET, SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE THE GROUP 1 RATE. EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW GROUND LEVEL ARE TO BE PAID 10% ABOVE BASIC WAGE RATE. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO OPEN CUT WORKHeavy · ENGI0181-010$51.05
  7. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 2 BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADER; FORKLIFT OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS OPERATING CRANES, WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUAL OR EXCEEDS 150 FEET, SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE THE GROUP 1 RATE. EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW GROUND LEVEL ARE TO BE PAID 10% ABOVE BASIC WAGE RATE. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO OPEN CUT WORKHeavy · ENGI0181-010$48.19
  8. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 4 OILER OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS OPERATING CRANES, WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUAL OR EXCEEDS 150 FEET, SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE THE GROUP 1 RATE. EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW GROUND LEVEL ARE TO BE PAID 10% ABOVE BASIC WAGE RATE. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO OPEN CUT WORKHeavy · ENGI0181-010$47.87
  9. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 2 ALL AIR COMPRESSORS (200 CU FT/MIN OR GREATER), BITUMINOUS MIXER, CONCRETE MIXER (21 CU. FT. OR OVER), WELDING MACHINE, FORM GRADER, TRACTOR (50 HP AND OVER), BULL FLOAT, FINISH MACHINE, OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT, BRAKEMAN, MECHANIC TENDER, WHIRLY OILER, TRACT-AIR, ROAD WIDENING TRENCHER, ARTICULATING TRUCKSHighway · SUKY2015-047$44.35
  10. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 GREASER ON GREASE FACILITIES SERVICING HEAVY EQUIPMENTHighway · SUKY2015-047$41.66
  11. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 BITUMINOUS DISTRIBUTOR, CEMENT GUN, CONVEYOR, MUD JACK, PAVING JOINT MACHINE, PUMP, TAMPING MACHINE, TRACTOR (UNDER 50 HP), VIBRATOR, OILER, AIR COMPRESSOR (UNDER 200 CU FT PER MINUTE), CONCRETE SAW, BURLAP AND CURING MACHINE, HYDRO SEEDER, POWER FORM HANDLING EQUIPMENT, DECKHAND OILER, HYDRAULIC POST DRIVERHighway · SUKY2015-047$41.36
  12. OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuilding · SUKY2015-023$37.33
  13. OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavy · SUKY2011-014$36.25
  14. OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuilding · SUKY2015-023$34.11
  15. OPERATOR: LOADERHeavy · SUKY2011-014$30.35
  16. OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavy · SUKY2011-014$29.17
Hourly rate of each operating engineer classification in the Barren County group, highest first, split into wage and fringe benefits.
ClassificationBase + fringeBaseFringe benefitsWD
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingENGI0181-083$61.58 $41.98 $19.60 KY20260042 Mod 1
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)BuildingENGI0181-084$54.59 $34.99 $19.60 KY20260042 Mod 1
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE CRANES WITH BOOM 150 FEET & OVER, INCLUDING JIB, SHALL RECEIVE $.75 ABOVE THE WAGE RATE. ALL CRANES WITH PILING LEADS WILL RECEIVE $.50 ABOVE THE WAGE, REGARDLESS OF BOOM LENGTHBuildingENGI0181-085$61.58 $41.98 $19.60 KY20260042 Mod 1
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuildingENGI0181-086$61.58 $41.98 $19.60 KY20260042 Mod 1
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuildingENGI0181-092$61.58 $41.98 $19.60 KY20260042 Mod 1
OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuildingSUKY2015-023$37.33 $24.33 $13.00 KY20260042 Mod 1
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUKY2015-023$34.11 $21.11 $13.00 KY20260042 Mod 1
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 2 ALL AIR COMPRESSORS (200 CU FT/MIN OR GREATER), BITUMINOUS MIXER, CONCRETE MIXER (21 CU. FT. OR OVER), WELDING MACHINE, FORM GRADER, TRACTOR (50 HP AND OVER), BULL FLOAT, FINISH MACHINE, OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT, BRAKEMAN, MECHANIC TENDER, WHIRLY OILER, TRACT-AIR, ROAD WIDENING TRENCHER, ARTICULATING TRUCKSHighwaySUKY2015-047$44.35 $29.95 $14.40 KY20260107 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 GREASER ON GREASE FACILITIES SERVICING HEAVY EQUIPMENTHighwaySUKY2015-047$41.66 $27.26 $14.40 KY20260107 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 BITUMINOUS DISTRIBUTOR, CEMENT GUN, CONVEYOR, MUD JACK, PAVING JOINT MACHINE, PUMP, TAMPING MACHINE, TRACTOR (UNDER 50 HP), VIBRATOR, OILER, AIR COMPRESSOR (UNDER 200 CU FT PER MINUTE), CONCRETE SAW, BURLAP AND CURING MACHINE, HYDRO SEEDER, POWER FORM HANDLING EQUIPMENT, DECKHAND OILER, HYDRAULIC POST DRIVERHighwaySUKY2015-047$41.36 $26.96 $14.40 KY20260107 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 4 OILER OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS OPERATING CRANES, WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUAL OR EXCEEDS 150 FEET, SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE THE GROUP 1 RATE. EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW GROUND LEVEL ARE TO BE PAID 10% ABOVE BASIC WAGE RATE. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO OPEN CUT WORKHeavyENGI0181-010$47.87 $38.37 $9.50 KY20260058 Mod 1
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 2 BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADER; FORKLIFT OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS OPERATING CRANES, WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUAL OR EXCEEDS 150 FEET, SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE THE GROUP 1 RATE. EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW GROUND LEVEL ARE TO BE PAID 10% ABOVE BASIC WAGE RATE. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO OPEN CUT WORKHeavyENGI0181-010$48.19 $38.69 $9.50 KY20260058 Mod 1
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GROUP 1 CRANE; DRILL; GRADER/BLADE; MECHANIC; SCRAPER OPERATORS ON CRANES WITH BOOMS 150 FEET AND OVER (INCLUDING JIB) SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE GROUP 1 RATE; 250 FEET AND OVER INCLUDING JIB SHALL RECEIVE $1.50 ABOVE CLASS 1 RATE. COMBINATION RATE: ALL CRANE OPERATORS OPERATING CRANES, WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE BOOM IN COMBINATION WITH THE LENGTH OF THE PILING LEADS EQUAL OR EXCEEDS 150 FEET, SHALL RECEIVE $1.00 ABOVE THE GROUP 1 RATE. EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO WORK BELOW GROUND LEVEL ARE TO BE PAID 10% ABOVE BASIC WAGE RATE. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO OPEN CUT WORKHeavyENGI0181-010$51.05 $41.55 $9.50 KY20260058 Mod 1
OPERATOR: LOADERHeavySUKY2011-014$30.35 $30.35 $0.00 KY20260058 Mod 1
OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavySUKY2011-014$29.17 $21.72 $7.45 KY20260058 Mod 1
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavySUKY2011-014$36.25 $23.60 $12.65 KY20260058 Mod 1

How the Barren County group 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 Kentucky

$54.59Adair$60.25Trigg
BarrenNearby: Casey $54.59, Clinton $54.59, Cumberland $54.59, Green $54.59, Hart $54.59, Knox $54.59, McCreary $54.59, Metcalfe $54.59, Russell $54.59, Taylor $54.59, Wayne $54.59Each column is a group of counties with about the same main rate; its height is how many. 1 county pays more than Barren, 118 the same, 0 less.

Wage and fringe benefits, nearby

  1. Barren County groupbase $34.99$54.59
  2. Metcalfe Countybase $34.99$54.59
  3. Allen Countybase $34.99$54.59
  4. Trigg Countybase $40.65$60.25

Which county is in which operating engineer group

Every Kentucky county with a operating engineer rate. Counties DOL treats alike share one page; the rest have their own.

CountiesMain classificationBase + fringeBase
Trigg CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (DRILL)$60.25 $40.65 
Floyd County group, 15 localities: Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, WolfePOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Barren County group, 12 localities: Barren, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, Hart, Knox, McCreary, Metcalfe, Russell, Taylor, WaynePOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Muhlenberg County group, 9 localities: Caldwell, Carlisle, Crittenden, Fulton, Hickman, Livingston, Muhlenberg, Ohio, ToddPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Boyle County group, 8 localities: Anderson, Bath, Boyle, Fleming, Lewis, Nicholas, Robertson, WashingtonPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Lincoln County group, 6 localities: Estill, Garrard, Lincoln, Menifee, Powell, RockcastlePOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Scott County group, 3 localities: Bourbon, Scott, WoodfordPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Allen County group, 2 localities: Allen, ButlerPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Boyd County group, 2 localities: Boyd, GreenupPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Grayson County group, 2 localities: Breckinridge, GraysonPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Spencer County group, 2 localities: Spencer, TrimblePOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Adair CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Ballard CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Bell CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Boone CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Bracken CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Bullitt CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Calloway CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Campbell CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Carroll CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Carter CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Christian CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Clark CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Daviess CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Edmonson CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Elliott CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Fayette CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Franklin CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Gallatin CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Grant CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Graves CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Hancock CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Hardin CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Harrison CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Henderson CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Henry CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Hopkins CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Jefferson CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Jessamine CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Johnson CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Kenton CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Larue CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Laurel CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Lawrence CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Logan CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Lyon CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Madison CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Marion CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Marshall CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Mason CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
McCracken CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
McLean CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Meade CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Mercer CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Monroe CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Montgomery CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Nelson CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Oldham CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Owen CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Pendleton CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Pike CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Pulaski CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Rowan CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Shelby CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Simpson CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Union CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Warren CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Webster CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 
Whitley CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)$54.59 $34.99 

10 groups of counties with identical DOL rates, and 59 counties with rates of their own.

Kentucky operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map

More from DOL on this rate

  • 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)).

Every trade's rates, county by county: Barren · Casey · Clinton · Cumberland · Green · Hart · Knox · McCreary · Metcalfe · Russell · Taylor · Wayne

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), Davis-Bacon wage determinations on SAM.gov, as of October 25, 2026. For the row this page leads with:

We read every active Kentucky 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 every Kentucky rate as CSV · Report an error