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Maine operating engineer prevailing wage, county by county
An operating engineer's prevailing wage on Maine public works is $49.06 an hour in every county that has one (16), for the main classification.
Main operating engineer classification in each county (Crane and tower operators), MDOL 2026 rates, effective January 10, 2026. A rate written into a contract "must remain unchanged during the time the contract is in effect" (26 MRSA §1306). Checked October 25, 2026.
How much does an operating engineer make on prevailing wage in Maine?
17 counties, highest main rate first. The table below lists which counties are in each group.
- Androscoggin County1 county$49.06
- Aroostook County1 county$49.06
- Cumberland County1 county$49.06
- Franklin County1 county$49.06
- Hancock County1 county$49.06
- Kennebec County1 county$49.06
- Knox County1 county$49.06
- Lincoln County1 county$49.06
- Oxford County1 county$49.06
- Penobscot County1 county$49.06
- Piscataquis County1 county$49.06
- Sagadahoc County1 county$49.06
- Somerset County1 county$49.06
- Waldo County1 county$49.06
- Washington County1 county$49.06
- York County1 county$49.06
- Statewide1 county$40.36
Which counties pay which rate
| Counties | Main classification | Total | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Aroostook County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Cumberland County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Franklin County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Hancock County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Kennebec County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Knox County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Lincoln County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Oxford County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Penobscot County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Piscataquis County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Sagadahoc County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Somerset County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Waldo County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Washington County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| York County | Crane and Tower Operators | $49.06 | $40.43 |
| Statewide | Crane and Tower Operators | $40.36 | $33.78 |
No two counties have identical MDOL rates for this trade.
MDOL's determinations list journey-level rates only. Registered apprentices are paid "the rates recognized in the sponsorship agreement for registered apprentices working in the pertinent classification" (every MDOL determination; 26 MRSA §1314(2)). Holders of a state apprentice licence who aren't in a registered program are not apprentices for this purpose.
Questions about Maine operating engineer pay
What is the operating engineer prevailing wage in Cumberland County?
$49.06 an hour: a $40.43 base wage plus $8.63 in benefits, under MDOL 2026 rates, effective January 10, 2026. Overtime and every operating engineer classification in Cumberland County.
Does operating engineer prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. In Cumberland County the $49.06 total is a $40.43 base wage plus $8.63 in benefits, about 18% of the total. The employer owes the full amount for every hour worked.
Does operating engineer prevailing wage pay overtime in Maine?
MDOL's determinations print no overtime and the prevailing wage law sets none. Maine's general wage law applies: 1½ times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a week, with no daily overtime (26 MRSA §664(3)).
Do apprentice operating engineers get this rate?
MDOL's determinations list journey-level rates only. Registered apprentices are paid "the rates recognized in the sponsorship agreement for registered apprentices working in the pertinent classification" (every MDOL determination; 26 MRSA §1314(2)). Holders of a state apprentice licence who aren't in a registered program are not apprentices for this purpose.