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Van Buren County, MI · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Van Buren County, Michigan
$71.22an hour, fringe benefits included · 4.1 Power Equip. Operator - Commercial
One rate, fringe benefits included (LEO prints no split) · Commercial
Van Buren County uses the same operating engineer rates as 60 other counties. See all of them on one page.
On Michigan public works in Van Buren County, an operating engineer working as 4.1 power equip. operator - commercial must be paid at least $71.22 an hour. LEO prints one rate with fringe benefits included, so there is no separate base wage.
LEO county rates, November 2025 edition, effective October 31, 2025. The contracting agent gets LEO's rates before advertising and puts them in the specifications; if the contract isn't awarded or started within 90 days of LEO's determination, LEO must redetermine them (MCL 408.1103). Checked against michigan.gov on October 25, 2026.
LEO lists 17 operating engineer rates for Van Buren County, from $39.09 to $71.46 an hour. See all of them.
- LEO prints no wage/fringe split. Derived from its overtime rates (wage = 2 × (time and a half − straight time)), the split would be about $45.98 wage + $25.24 fringe. That's our estimate, not LEO's figure.
One rate, fringe benefits included: $71.22
LEO publishes a single hourly figure that already includes fringe benefits. A contractor can pay it all as wages, or pay part as contributions to bona fide benefit plans for the worker, as long as the two add up to at least $71.22. LEO doesn't publish a base and fringe split, so this page doesn't invent one.
LEO's data note: LEO prints package rates only (wage + fringe at straight time, 1.5x, 2x)
When does this rate change?
- A contract keeps the rates LEO determined for it, unless it isn't awarded or started within 90 days, when LEO redetermines them (MCL 408.1103).
- LEO publishes a new edition every November 1. This page copies the November 2025 edition; Barry, Bay, Benzie and Berrien carry 2026 corrections.
Every operating engineer rate in Van Buren County
As LEO lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- 3.1 Power Equip. Operator - Highway & HeavyHighway & Heavy$71.46
- 4.1 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial$71.22
- 4.2 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial$70.93
- 3.2 Power Equip. Operator - Highway & HeavyHighway & Heavy$70.31
- Boom Truck$70.31
- 4.3 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial$70.11
- 4.4 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial$69.25
- 4.5 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial$68.28
- 4.6 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial$66.57
- 3.3 Power Equip. Operator - Highway & HeavyHighway & Heavy$63.58
- 3.4 Power Equip. Operator - Highway & HeavyHighway & Heavy$63.02
- Articulated Hauler$63.02
- Off-Road Truck$63.02
- 4.7 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial$59.26
- 4.8 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial$58.23
- 3.5 Power Equip. Operator - Highway & HeavyHighway & Heavy$44.80
- Landscaping equipment$39.09
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 Power Equip. Operator - Highway & HeavyHighway & Heavy | incl. | incl. | $71.46 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| 3.2 Power Equip. Operator - Highway & HeavyHighway & Heavy | incl. | incl. | $70.31 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| 3.3 Power Equip. Operator - Highway & HeavyHighway & Heavy | incl. | incl. | $63.58 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| 3.4 Power Equip. Operator - Highway & HeavyHighway & Heavy | incl. | incl. | $63.02 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| 3.5 Power Equip. Operator - Highway & HeavyHighway & Heavy | incl. | incl. | $44.80 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| 4.1 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial | incl. | incl. | $71.22 | Oct 31, 2025 |
| 4.2 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial | incl. | incl. | $70.93 | Oct 31, 2025 |
| 4.3 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial | incl. | incl. | $70.11 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| 4.4 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial | incl. | incl. | $69.25 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| 4.5 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial | incl. | incl. | $68.28 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| 4.6 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial | incl. | incl. | $66.57 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| 4.7 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial | incl. | incl. | $59.26 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| 4.8 Power Equip. Operator - CommercialCommercial | incl. | incl. | $58.23 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| Articulated Hauler | incl. | incl. | $63.02 | Oct 28, 2025 |
| Boom Truck | incl. | incl. | $70.31 | Oct 28, 2025 |
| Landscaping equipment | incl. | incl. | $39.09 | Oct 28, 2025 |
| Off-Road Truck | incl. | incl. | $63.02 | Oct 29, 2025 |
Davis-Bacon operating engineer rate in Van Buren County
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's wage determinations. Contracts that already require Davis-Bacon rates are exempt from Michigan's Act, so a Davis-Bacon job uses the federal rate (MCL 408.1102(1)).
We don't put a federal figure next to LEO's here, because the federal determinations split this trade into groups that don't line up with LEO's. The federal rows for this trade are below; match the classification to the work.
| Construction | Federal classification | Base wage | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT: GROUP 7 OILERENGI0324-015 | $31.23 | $56.48 | MI20260099 Mod 1 |
| Building | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT: GROUP 2 CRANE OPERATOR WITH MAIN BOOM AND JIB 140' OR LONGER, TOWER CRANE, GANTRY CRANE, WHIRLEY DERRICKENGI0324-015 | $43.93 | $69.18 | MI20260099 Mod 1 |
| Building | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR WITH MAIN BOOM AND JIB 400', 300', OR 220' OR LONGER.ENGI0324-015 | $47.28 | $72.53 | MI20260099 Mod 1 |
| Building | OPERATOR: TRACTORSUMI2011-024 | $19.10 | $27.58 | MI20260099 Mod 1 |
| Building | OPERATOR: BULLDOZERSUMI2011-024 | $19.68 | $26.32 | MI20260099 Mod 1 |
| Highway | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, STEEL ERECTION: GROUP 5-AIR COMPRESSOR, WELDER, GENERATORS, CONVEYORS. (AREA 1: ALLEGAN, BARRY, BERRIEN, BRANCH, CALHOUN, CASS, …ENGI0324-004 | $32.29 | $47.69 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, STEEL ERECTION: GROUP 4- AIR TUGGER (SINGLE DRUM), MATERIAL HOIST PUMP 6" OR OVER, ELEVATORS, BROKK CONCRETE BREAKER. (AREA 1: …ENGI0324-004 | $46.77 | $75.02 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, STEEL ERECTION: GROUP 3- REGULAR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, CRAE, DOZER, LOADER, HOIST, STRADDLE WAGON, MECHANIC, GRADER AND HYDRO …ENGI0324-004 | $50.61 | $78.86 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, STEEL ERECTION: GROUP 2- CRANE OPERATOR WITH MAIN BOOM & JIB 140' OR LONGER, TOWER CRANE; GANTRY CRANE; WHIRLEY DERRICK. (AREA 1: …ENGI0324-004 | $52.15 | $80.40 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, STEEL ERECTION: GROUP 1- CRANE OPERATOR WITH MAIN BOOM & JIB 400', 300', OR 220' OR LONGER. (AREA 1: ALLEGAN, BARRY, BERRIEN, …ENGI0324-004 | $55.02 | $83.27 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION (INCLUDING SEWER): GROUP 5- FIRE PERSON, OILER (AREA 2: ALCONA, ALLEGAN, ALGER, ALPENA, ANTRIM, ARENAC, …ENGI0324-005 | $30.35 | $42.45 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION (INCLUDING SEWER): GROUP 3- AIR COMPRESSORS (600 CFM OR LARGER); AIR COMPRESSORS (2 OR MORE-LESS THAN 600 …ENGI0324-005 | $40.52 | $65.77 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION (INCLUDING SEWER): GROUP 1- BACKFILLER TAMPER; BACKHOE; BATCH PLANT OPERATOR (CONCRETE); CLAMSHELL; …ENGI0324-005 | $45.98 | $71.23 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS:, AIRPORT, BRIDGE & HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 2- ASPHALT PLANT OPERATOR; CRANE OPERATOR (DOES NOT INCLUDE WORK ON BRIDGE …ENGI0324-006 | $45.06 | $70.31 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS:, AIRPORT, BRIDGE & HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 1- PAVER OPERATOR (5 BAGS OR MORE); SLIP FORM PAVER; ASPHALT PAVER (SELF-PROPELLED); …ENGI0324-006 | $46.21 | $71.46 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - GAS DISTRIBUTION AND DUCT INSTALLATION WORK: GROUP 2- DOZER (LESS THAN D-6 EQUIVALENT), ENDLOADER (UNDER 2 YD. CAPACITY), SIDE BOOM …ENGI0325-012 | $36.05 | $61.30 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - GAS DISTRIBUTION AND DUCT INSTALLATION WORK: GROUP 1- BACKHOE, CRANE, GRADER, MECHANIC, DOZER (D-6 EQUIVALENT OR LARGER), SIDE BOOM …ENGI0325-012 | $39.78 | $65.03 | MI20260001 Mod 3 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION (INCLUDING SEWER): GROUP 2 TRENCHER (8-FT DIGGING CAPACITY AND SMALLER)ENGI0325-018 | $41.25 | $66.50 | MI20260073 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION (INCLUDING SEWER): GROUP 1 BORING MACHINE, BULLDOZER, CRANE, GRADER/ BLADE, ROLLER, SCRAPER, TRENCHER (OVER …ENGI0325-018 | $45.98 | $71.23 | MI20260073 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, EXCLUDES UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 3 BORING MACHINE; BULLDOZER; GRADER/BLADE; ROLLER; SCRAPER; TRACTOR; TRENCHER; REGULAR …ENGI0326-010 | $44.00 | $69.25 | MI20260073 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, EXCLUDES UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 2 CRANE OPERATOR WITH MAIN BOOM AND JIB 140' OR LONGER, TOWER CRANE, GANTRY CRANE, WHIRLEY …ENGI0326-010 | $45.68 | $70.93 | MI20260073 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: POWER EQUIPMENT, EXCLUDES UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR WITH MAIN BOOM AND JIB 400', 300', OR 220' OR LONGER. PAID HOLIDAYS: NEW …ENGI0326-010 | $48.98 | $74.23 | MI20260073 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: LOADERSUMI2010-071 | $19.19 | $25.19 | MI20260073 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATORSUMI2010-071 | $19.09 | $21.57 | MI20260073 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - GAS DISTRIBUTION AND DUCT INSTALLATION WORK: GROUP 2 DOZER (LESS THAN D-6 EQUIVALENT), ENDLOADER (UNDER 2 YD. CAPACITY), SIDE BOOM …ENGI0325-012 | $36.05 | $61.30 | MI20260157 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - GAS DISTRIBUTION AND DUCT INSTALLATION WORK: GROUP 1 BACKHOE, CRANE, GRADER, MECHANIC, DOZER (D-6 EQUIVALENT OR LARGER), SIDE BOOM …ENGI0325-012 | $39.78 | $65.03 | MI20260157 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: GROUP 2 (AREA 2: LEVEL D)ENGI0325-011 | $23.68 | $43.38 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: GROUP 2 (AREA 2: LEVEL D WHEN CAPPING LANDFILL)ENGI0325-011 | $23.43 | $43.13 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: GROUP 2 (AREA 2: LEVEL B AND C)ENGI0325-011 | $24.98 | $44.68 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: GROUP 2 (AREA 2: LEVEL A)ENGI0325-011 | $25.92 | $45.62 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: GROUP 1 (AREA 2: LEVEL D)ENGI0325-011 | $28.07 | $47.77 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: GROUP 1 (AREA 2: LEVEL D WHEN CAPPING LANDFILL)ENGI0325-011 | $27.82 | $47.52 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: GROUP 1 (AREA 2: LEVEL B AND C)ENGI0325-011 | $29.37 | $49.07 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: GROUP 1 (AREA 2: LEVEL A)ENGI0325-011 | $30.32 | $50.02 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: ENGINEER WHEN OPERATING CRANE WITH BOOM AND JIB OR LEADS 220' OR LONGER (AREA 2: LEVEL D)ENGI0325-011 | $31.02 | $50.72 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: ENGINEER WHEN OPERATING CRANE WITH BOOM AND JIB OR LEADS 220' OR LONGER (AREA 2: LEVEL D WHEN …ENGI0325-011 | $30.77 | $50.47 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: ENGINEER WHEN OPERATING CRANE WITH BOOM AND JIB OR LEADS 220' OR LONGER (AREA 2: LEVEL B AND C)ENGI0325-011 | $32.23 | $51.93 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: ENGINEER WHEN OPERATING CRANE WITH BOOM AND JIB OR LEADS 220' OR LONGER (AREA 2: LEVEL A)ENGI0325-011 | $33.27 | $52.97 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: ENGINEER WHEN OPERATING CRANE WITH BOOM AND JIB OR LEADS 140' OR LONGER (AREA 2: LEVEL D)ENGI0325-011 | $30.72 | $50.42 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL:, AREA 2: ENGINEER WHEN OPERATING CRANE WITH BOOM AND JIB OR LEADS 140' OR LONGER (AREA 2: LEVEL D WHEN …ENGI0325-011 | $30.47 | $50.17 | MI20260158 Mod 1 |
The first 40 of 63 federal rows; every row is in the determinations linked above.
Davis-Bacon rates from SAM.gov, read October 25, 2026. Our federal totals are base plus fringe; DOL prints no total. Michigan Davis-Bacon changes
How Van Buren County compares
The main operating engineer rate in every county that has one. All bars use the same scale.
Every county in Michigan
Rates nearby
- Van Buren Countyfringes included$71.22
- Cass Countyfringes included$71.22
- Allegan Countyfringes included$71.22
- Lenawee Countyfringes included$73.64
Operating Engineer rates in nearby counties
Current LEO rates. LEO sets rates county by county from local union agreements, so neighbouring counties in one agreement's area often match.
LEO's operating engineer rates for Van Buren County are the same as in 60 other counties: Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Bay, Benzie and 52 more. The closest county with a different rate is Lenawee County, at $73.64.
| County | Classification | Base wage | Total rate | vs Van Buren County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren County | 4.1 Power Equip. Operator - Commercial | incl. | $71.22 | |
| Cass County | 4.1 Power Equip. Operator - Commercial | incl. | $71.22 | same |
| Allegan County | 4.1 Power Equip. Operator - Commercial | incl. | $71.22 | same |
| Kalamazoo County | 4.1 Power Equip. Operator - Commercial | incl. | $71.22 | same |
| Berrien County | 4.1 Power Equip. Operator - Commercial | incl. | $71.22 | same |
| St. Joseph County | 4.1 Power Equip. Operator - Commercial | incl. | $71.22 | same |
| Barry County | 4.1 Power Equip. Operator - Commercial | incl. | $71.22 | same |
Michigan operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from LEO on this rate
- LEO county rate schedule, page 6
- LEO's prevailing wages by county
- LEO's county PDF lists apprentice rates by level for each classification; see the PDF linked on each page (LEO).
Are you being paid this rate?
LEO's rate is wage and fringe together: add your hourly wage to what your employer pays into benefit plans for you and compare the sum with the total. LEO Wage and Hour Division, P.O. Box 30476, Lansing, MI 48909 (LEO).
Source
Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), county rate schedule LEO-November-2025-van-buren, effective October 31, 2025, page 6: www.michigan.gov/leo/-/media/Project/Websites/leo/Documents/PWRS-By-County/Van-Buren.pdf
We read every county PDF in LEO's November 2025 edition and check every page with a second, separate read; the last run found no mismatches. Where LEO prints the same classification twice in a county without saying where each applies, both rows are shown. How we check · Download Van Buren County as CSV · Report an error