Home / Kentucky / Whitley County / Operating Engineer
Whitley County, KY · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Whitley County, Kentucky
$54.59an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$34.99 base wage + $19.60 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER) · ENGI0181-084
$44.35an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$29.95 base wage + $14.40 fringe benefits
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 TRUCKS · SUKY2015-047
$47.87an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$38.37 base wage + $9.50 fringe benefits
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 WORK · ENGI0181-010
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Whitley County, 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 KY20260036 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $54.59 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination KY20260036, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier ENGI0181-084 (June 1, 2025). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway construction in Whitley County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $44.35 an hour: a $29.95 base wage plus $14.40 in fringe benefits, under wage determination KY20260107 (modification 2). DOL prints no total, so $44.35 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination KY20260107, modification 2, published July 30, 2026, for highway construction; rate identifier SUKY2015-047 (October 20, 2015). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in Whitley County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $47.87 an hour: a $38.37 base wage plus $9.50 in fringe benefits, under wage determination KY20260058 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $47.87 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination KY20260058, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier ENGI0181-010 (July 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 Whitley County, 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 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $29.95 + $14.40
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) | $29.95 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $14.40 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $44.35 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $38.37 + $9.50
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) | $38.37 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $9.50 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $47.87 |
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 Kentucky change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Whitley County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuilding · ENGI0181-083$61.58
- 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
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuilding · ENGI0181-086$61.58
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuilding · ENGI0181-092$61.58
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)Building · ENGI0181-084$54.59
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 GREASER ON GREASE FACILITIES SERVICING HEAVY EQUIPMENTHighway · SUKY2015-047$41.66
- 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
- OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuilding · SUKY2015-019$37.33
- OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavy · SUKY2011-014$36.25
- OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuilding · SUKY2015-019$34.11
- OPERATOR: LOADERHeavy · SUKY2011-014$30.35
- OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavy · SUKY2011-014$29.17
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingENGI0181-083 | $41.98 | $19.60 | $61.58 | KY20260036 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER)BuildingENGI0181-084 | $34.99 | $19.60 | $54.59 | KY20260036 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 | $41.98 | $19.60 | $61.58 | KY20260036 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuildingENGI0181-086 | $41.98 | $19.60 | $61.58 | KY20260036 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuildingENGI0181-092 | $41.98 | $19.60 | $61.58 | KY20260036 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuildingSUKY2015-019 | $24.33 | $13.00 | $37.33 | KY20260036 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUKY2015-019 | $21.11 | $13.00 | $34.11 | KY20260036 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 | $29.95 | $14.40 | $44.35 | KY20260107 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 GREASER ON GREASE FACILITIES SERVICING HEAVY EQUIPMENTHighwaySUKY2015-047 | $27.26 | $14.40 | $41.66 | 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 | $26.96 | $14.40 | $41.36 | 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 | $38.37 | $9.50 | $47.87 | 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 | $38.69 | $9.50 | $48.19 | 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 | $41.55 | $9.50 | $51.05 | KY20260058 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERHeavySUKY2011-014 | $30.35 | $0.00 | $30.35 | KY20260058 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavySUKY2011-014 | $21.72 | $7.45 | $29.17 | KY20260058 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavySUKY2011-014 | $23.60 | $12.65 | $36.25 | KY20260058 Mod 1 |
How Whitley 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 Kentucky
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Whitley Countybase $34.99$54.59
- Knox Countybase $34.99$54.59
- McCreary Countybase $34.99$54.59
- Trigg Countybase $40.65$60.25
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 Whitley County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitley County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER) | $34.99 | $54.59 | |
| Knox County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER) | $34.99 | $54.59 | same |
| McCreary County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER) | $34.99 | $54.59 | same |
| Laurel County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER) | $34.99 | $54.59 | same |
| Bell County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER) | $34.99 | $54.59 | same |
| Pulaski County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER) | $34.99 | $54.59 | same |
| Clay County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER) | $34.99 | $54.59 | same |
Kentucky 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 KY20260036 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/KY20260036/1
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 Whitley County as CSV · Report an error