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Maryland operating engineer prevailing wage, county by county
An operating engineer's prevailing wage on Maryland public works runs from $54.32 an hour in Garrett County to $63.81 in Charles County. The median county is $61.10.
Operating Engineer rate in each Maryland county, A to Z
| County | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Allegany CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $37.22 | $17.10 | $54.32 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-001 |
Anne Arundel CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-003 |
Baltimore CityPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-510 |
Baltimore CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-005 |
Calvert CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-009 |
Caroline CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-011 |
Carroll CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-013 |
Cecil CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-015 |
Charles CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $48.71 | $15.10 | $63.81 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-017 |
Dorchester CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-019 |
Frederick CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-021 |
Garrett CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $37.22 | $17.10 | $54.32 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-023 |
Harford CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-025 |
Howard CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-027 |
Kent CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-029 |
Montgomery CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $48.71 | $15.10 | $63.81 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-031 |
Prince George's CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $48.71 | $15.10 | $63.81 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-033 |
Queen Anne's CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-035 |
Somerset CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-039 |
St. Mary's CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $48.71 | $15.10 | $63.81 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-037 |
Talbot CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-041 |
Washington CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-043 |
Wicomico CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-045 |
Worcester CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $19.10 | $61.10 | MD-INFO-2026-10-25-B-047 |
Main operating engineer classification in each county (Power equipment operator - crane), Maryland informational rates as printed October 25, 2026. A determination applies to a project advertised before it expires, and mid-year changes apply only to newly issued determinations (SFP 17-209; DOL FAQ #47). Checked October 25, 2026.
How much does an operating engineer make on prevailing wage in Maryland?
$54.32 to $63.81 an hour depending on the county; the median county pays $61.10. 24 counties, highest main rate first.
- Charles County1 county$63.81
- Montgomery County1 county$63.81
- Prince George's County1 county$63.81
- St. Mary's County1 county$63.81
- Anne Arundel County1 county$61.10
- Baltimore City1 county$61.10
- Baltimore County1 county$61.10
- Calvert County1 county$61.10
- Caroline County1 county$61.10
- Carroll County1 county$61.10
- Cecil County1 county$61.10
- Dorchester County1 county$61.10
- Frederick County1 county$61.10
- Harford County1 county$61.10
- Howard County1 county$61.10
- Kent County1 county$61.10
- Queen Anne's County1 county$61.10
- Somerset County1 county$61.10
- Talbot County1 county$61.10
- Washington County1 county$61.10
- Wicomico County1 county$61.10
- Worcester County1 county$61.10
- Allegany County1 county$54.32
- Garrett County1 county$54.32
Which counties share a rate
| Counties and Baltimore City | Main classification | Base wage | Total rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $48.71 | $63.81 |
| Montgomery County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $48.71 | $63.81 |
| Prince George's County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $48.71 | $63.81 |
| St. Mary's County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $48.71 | $63.81 |
| Anne Arundel County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Baltimore City | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Baltimore County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Calvert County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Caroline County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Carroll County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Cecil County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Dorchester County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Frederick County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Harford County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Howard County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Kent County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Queen Anne's County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Somerset County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Talbot County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Washington County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Wicomico County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Worcester County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $42.00 | $61.10 |
| Allegany County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $37.22 | $54.32 |
| Garrett County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - CRANE | $37.22 | $54.32 |
No two counties have identical DOL rates for this trade.
Maryland's informational rates are journeyworker rates. A registered apprentice may be paid the percentage of the mechanic rate set by the Apprenticeship and Training Council (SFP 17-208(e)); an unregistered 'apprentice' must be paid the full rate.
Questions about Maryland operating engineer pay
What is the operating engineer prevailing wage in Montgomery County?
$63.81 an hour: a $48.71 base wage plus $15.10 in fringe benefits, under Maryland informational rates as printed October 25, 2026. Overtime and every operating engineer classification in Montgomery County.
Does operating engineer prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. In Montgomery County the $63.81 total is a $48.71 base wage plus $15.10 in fringe benefits, about 24% of the total. The employer owes the full amount for every hour worked.
Does operating engineer prevailing wage pay overtime in Maryland?
Maryland overtime is at least 1½ times the straight-time rate for hours over 10 in a calendar day, over 40 in a workweek, and on Sundays and legal holidays. There is no Saturday premium (SFP 17-214(b); 17-208(b)(2)).
Do apprentice operating engineers get this rate?
Maryland's informational rates are journeyworker rates. A registered apprentice may be paid the percentage of the mechanic rate set by the Apprenticeship and Training Council (SFP 17-208(e)); an unregistered 'apprentice' must be paid the full rate.
Which county pays operating engineers the most in Maryland?
Charles County, at $63.81 an hour for the main classification. The lowest is Garrett County at $54.32, and the median county is $61.10.