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Minnesota · Operating Engineer

Minnesota operating engineer prevailing wage, county by county

An operating engineer's prevailing wage on Minnesota public works runs from $28.00 an hour in Wilkin County to $85.21 in Aitkin County. The median county is $82.86.

Operating Engineer rate in each Minnesota county, A to Z

87 counties
CountyBase wageFringe benefitsTotal rateEffectiveSource
Aitkin CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-01-2025-12-22
Anoka CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-02-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Becker CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-03-2025-12-22
Beltrami CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-04-2025-12-22
Benton CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$49.25 $25.20 $74.45 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-05-2025-12-22
Big Stone CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-06-2025-12-22
Blue Earth CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-07-2025-12-22
Brown CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-08-2025-12-22
Carlton CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-09-2025-12-22
Carver CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-10-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Cass CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-11-2025-12-22
Chippewa CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-12-2025-12-22
Chisago CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-13-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Clay CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-14-2025-12-22
Clearwater CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$42.55 $21.70 $64.25 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-15-2025-12-22
Cook CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$49.25 $25.20 $74.45 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-16-2025-12-22
Cottonwood CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$51.90 $30.96 $82.86 May 4, 2026DLI-C-17-2025-12-22
Crow Wing CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$45.24 $22.85 $68.09 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-18-2025-12-22
Dakota CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-19-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Dodge CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-20-2025-12-22
Douglas CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$48.89 $29.35 $78.24 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-21-2025-12-22
Faribault CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-22-2025-12-22
Fillmore CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-23-2025-12-22
Freeborn CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-24-2025-12-22
Goodhue CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-25-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Grant CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-26-2025-12-22
Hennepin CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-27-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Houston CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$45.24 $22.85 $68.09 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-28-2025-12-22
Hubbard CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$44.44 $21.70 $66.14 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-29-2025-12-22
Isanti CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-30-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Itasca CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-31-2025-12-22
Jackson CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$48.89 $29.35 $78.24 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-32-2025-12-22
Kanabec CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$44.44 $21.70 $66.14 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-33-2025-12-22
Kandiyohi CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$49.25 $25.20 $74.45 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-34-2025-12-22
Kittson CountyHighway/Heavy Power Equipment Operator - Group 2
$30.50 $16.87 $47.37 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-35-2025-12-22
Koochiching CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-36-2025-12-22
Lac qui Parle CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-37-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-02
Lake CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-38-2025-12-22
Lake of the Woods CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$42.55 $21.70 $64.25 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-39-2025-12-22
Le Sueur CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-40-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-02
Lincoln CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$48.89 $26.40 $75.29 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-41-2025-12-22
Lyon CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$51.90 $30.96 $82.86 May 4, 2026DLI-C-42-2025-12-22
Mahnomen CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-43-2025-12-22
Marshall CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$42.55 $21.70 $64.25 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-44-2025-12-22
Martin CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-45-2025-12-22
McLeod CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-46-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Meeker CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$51.03 $29.40 $80.43 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-47-2025-12-22
Mille Lacs CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$45.24 $22.85 $68.09 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-48-2025-12-22
Morrison CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$51.03 $29.40 $80.43 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-49-2025-12-22
Mower CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-50-2025-12-22
Murray CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$51.90 $30.96 $82.86 May 4, 2026DLI-C-51-2025-12-22
Nicollet CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-52-2025-12-22
Nobles CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$48.89 $29.35 $78.24 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-53-2025-12-22
Norman CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-54-2025-12-22
Olmsted CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-55-2025-12-22
Otter Tail CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$48.89 $29.35 $78.24 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-56-2025-12-22
Pennington CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$42.55 $21.70 $64.25 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-57-2025-12-22
Pine CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$45.24 $22.85 $68.09 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-58-2025-12-22
Pipestone CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$48.89 $26.40 $75.29 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-59-2025-12-22
Polk CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-60-2025-12-22
Pope CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$47.19 $25.20 $72.39 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-61-2025-12-22
Ramsey CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-62-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Red Lake CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$38.15 $19.45 $57.60 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-63-2025-12-22
Redwood CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$51.90 $30.96 $82.86 May 4, 2026DLI-C-64-2025-12-22
Renville CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-65-2025-12-22
Rice CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-66-2025-12-22
Rock CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$48.89 $29.35 $78.24 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-67-2025-12-22
Roseau CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$42.55 $21.70 $64.25 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-68-2025-12-22
Scott CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-70-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Sherburne CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-71-2025-12-22
Sibley CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-72-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
St. Louis CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-69-2025-12-22
Stearns CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$51.03 $29.40 $80.43 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-73-2025-12-22
Steele CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-74-2025-12-22
Stevens CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-75-2025-12-22
Swift CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$43.35 $22.85 $66.20 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-76-2025-12-22
Todd CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$51.03 $29.40 $80.43 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-77-2025-12-22
Traverse CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$38.15 $19.45 $57.60 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-78-2025-12-22
Wabasha CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-79-2025-12-22
Wadena CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$51.03 $29.40 $80.43 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-80-2025-12-22
Waseca CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-81-2025-12-22
Washington CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-82-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Watonwan CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-83-2025-12-22
Wilkin CountyHighway/Heavy Power Equipment Operator - Group 2
$28.00 $0.00 $28.00 Dec 22, 2025DLI-C-84-2025-12-22
Winona CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-85-2025-12-22
Wright CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$54.21 $31.00 $85.21 May 4, 2026DLI-C-86-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-09
Yellow Medicine CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1
$51.90 $30.96 $82.86 May 4, 2026DLI-C-87-2025-12-22-rev-2026-02-02

Main operating engineer classification in each county, DLI certifications of Nov 3 and Dec 22, 2025 (revised to Feb 9, 2026). The rates "must be ascertained before the state asks for bids" and written into the contract, with their dated steps (Minn. Stat. 177.43). Checked October 25, 2026.

Polk County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourRed Lake County operating engineer: $57.60 per hourMeeker County operating engineer: $80.43 per hourIsanti County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourRock County operating engineer: $78.24 per hourCarver County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourKandiyohi County operating engineer: $74.45 per hourCottonwood County operating engineer: $82.86 per hourFreeborn County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourBenton County operating engineer: $74.45 per hourDouglas County operating engineer: $78.24 per hourMurray County operating engineer: $82.86 per hourPipestone County operating engineer: $75.29 per hourCarlton County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourAitkin County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourRice County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourWatonwan County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourOtter Tail County operating engineer: $78.24 per hourPennington County operating engineer: $64.25 per hourMahnomen County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourRoseau County operating engineer: $64.25 per hourMartin County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourBeltrami County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourSt. Louis County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourDodge County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourLe Sueur County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourSteele County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourNobles County operating engineer: $78.24 per hourSibley County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourOlmsted County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourLyon County operating engineer: $82.86 per hourRenville County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourTodd County operating engineer: $80.43 per hourCook County operating engineer: $74.45 per hourLincoln County operating engineer: $75.29 per hourRedwood County operating engineer: $82.86 per hourLake County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourBrown County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourKittson County operating engineer: $47.37 per hourLac qui Parle County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourWaseca County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourHouston County operating engineer: $68.09 per hourJackson County operating engineer: $78.24 per hourWashington County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourChisago County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourFaribault County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourBlue Earth County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourNicollet County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourStevens County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourMille Lacs County operating engineer: $68.09 per hourMower County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourGrant County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourHubbard County operating engineer: $66.14 per hourBig Stone County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourWadena County operating engineer: $80.43 per hourChippewa County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourWabasha County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourKoochiching County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourNorman County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourBecker County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourGoodhue County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourRamsey County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourYellow Medicine County operating engineer: $82.86 per hourFillmore County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourWright County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourWilkin County operating engineer: $28.00 per hourSwift County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourMarshall County operating engineer: $64.25 per hourPine County operating engineer: $68.09 per hourScott County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourClearwater County operating engineer: $64.25 per hourCrow Wing County operating engineer: $68.09 per hourDakota County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourItasca County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourCass County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourKanabec County operating engineer: $66.14 per hourSherburne County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourWinona County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourPope County operating engineer: $72.39 per hourMcLeod County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourLake of the Woods County operating engineer: $64.25 per hourMorrison County operating engineer: $80.43 per hourClay County operating engineer: $66.20 per hourHennepin County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourAnoka County operating engineer: $85.21 per hourTraverse County operating engineer: $57.60 per hourStearns County operating engineer: $80.43 per hour
$28$66$78$85$85$85Operating Engineer, main rate, total per hour. Each shade holds about a fifth of the counties.

How much does an operating engineer make on prevailing wage in Minnesota?

$28.00 to $85.21 an hour depending on the county; the median county pays $82.86. 87 counties, highest main rate first. The top 40 are drawn.

  1. Aitkin County1 county$85.21
  2. Anoka County1 county$85.21
  3. Beltrami County1 county$85.21
  4. Blue Earth County1 county$85.21
  5. Brown County1 county$85.21
  6. Carlton County1 county$85.21
  7. Carver County1 county$85.21
  8. Cass County1 county$85.21
  9. Chisago County1 county$85.21
  10. Dakota County1 county$85.21
  11. Dodge County1 county$85.21
  12. Faribault County1 county$85.21
  13. Fillmore County1 county$85.21
  14. Freeborn County1 county$85.21
  15. Goodhue County1 county$85.21
  16. Hennepin County1 county$85.21
  17. Isanti County1 county$85.21
  18. Itasca County1 county$85.21
  19. Koochiching County1 county$85.21
  20. Lake County1 county$85.21
  21. Le Sueur County1 county$85.21
  22. Martin County1 county$85.21
  23. McLeod County1 county$85.21
  24. Mower County1 county$85.21
  25. Nicollet County1 county$85.21
  26. Olmsted County1 county$85.21
  27. Ramsey County1 county$85.21
  28. Renville County1 county$85.21
  29. Rice County1 county$85.21
  30. Scott County1 county$85.21
  31. Sherburne County1 county$85.21
  32. Sibley County1 county$85.21
  33. St. Louis County1 county$85.21
  34. Steele County1 county$85.21
  35. Wabasha County1 county$85.21
  36. Waseca County1 county$85.21
  37. Washington County1 county$85.21
  38. Watonwan County1 county$85.21
  39. Winona County1 county$85.21
  40. Wright County1 county$85.21
Which counties share a rate
CountiesMain classificationBase wageTotal rate
Aitkin CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Anoka CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Beltrami CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Blue Earth CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Brown CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Carlton CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Carver CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Cass CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Chisago CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Dakota CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Dodge CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Faribault CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Fillmore CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Freeborn CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Goodhue CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Hennepin CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Isanti CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Itasca CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Koochiching CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Lake CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Le Sueur CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Martin CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
McLeod CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Mower CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Nicollet CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Olmsted CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Ramsey CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Renville CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Rice CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Scott CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Sherburne CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Sibley CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
St. Louis CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Steele CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Wabasha CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Waseca CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Washington CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Watonwan CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Winona CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Wright CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$54.21 $85.21 
Cottonwood CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$51.90 $82.86 
Lyon CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$51.90 $82.86 
Murray CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$51.90 $82.86 
Redwood CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$51.90 $82.86 
Yellow Medicine CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$51.90 $82.86 
Meeker CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$51.03 $80.43 
Morrison CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$51.03 $80.43 
Stearns CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$51.03 $80.43 
Todd CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$51.03 $80.43 
Wadena CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$51.03 $80.43 
Douglas CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$48.89 $78.24 
Jackson CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$48.89 $78.24 
Nobles CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$48.89 $78.24 
Otter Tail CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$48.89 $78.24 
Rock CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$48.89 $78.24 
Lincoln CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$48.89 $75.29 
Pipestone CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$48.89 $75.29 
Benton CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$49.25 $74.45 
Cook CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$49.25 $74.45 
Kandiyohi CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$49.25 $74.45 
Pope CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$47.19 $72.39 
Crow Wing CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$45.24 $68.09 
Houston CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$45.24 $68.09 
Mille Lacs CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$45.24 $68.09 
Pine CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$45.24 $68.09 
Becker CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Big Stone CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Chippewa CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Clay CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Grant CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Lac qui Parle CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Mahnomen CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Norman CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Polk CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Stevens CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Swift CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$43.35 $66.20 
Hubbard CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$44.44 $66.14 
Kanabec CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$44.44 $66.14 
Clearwater CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$42.55 $64.25 
Lake of the Woods CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$42.55 $64.25 
Marshall CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$42.55 $64.25 
Pennington CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$42.55 $64.25 
Roseau CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$42.55 $64.25 
Red Lake CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$38.15 $57.60 
Traverse CountyCommercial Power Equipment Operator - Group 1$38.15 $57.60 
Kittson CountyHighway/Heavy Power Equipment Operator - Group 2$30.50 $47.37 
Wilkin CountyHighway/Heavy Power Equipment Operator - Group 2$28.00 $28.00 

No two counties have identical DLI rates for this trade.

DLI's schedules list journeyworker rates only. Apprentices in a registered program are paid the program's rate (Minn. R. 5200.1070); anyone else on the payroll gets the full rate for the work performed.

Questions about Minnesota operating engineer pay

What is the operating engineer prevailing wage in Hennepin County?

$85.21 an hour: a $54.21 base wage plus $31.00 in fringe, under DLI certifications of Nov 3 and Dec 22, 2025 (revised to Feb 9, 2026). Overtime and every operating engineer classification in Hennepin County.

Does operating engineer prevailing wage include fringe benefits?

Yes. In Hennepin County the $85.21 total is a $54.21 base wage plus $31.00 in fringe, about 36% of the total. The employer owes the full amount for every hour worked.

Does operating engineer prevailing wage pay overtime in Minnesota?

Over 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week is paid at 1½ times the basic hourly rate; the fringe isn't multiplied. Every DLI schedule says overtime after 8 hours "must be paid even if the worker does not exceed forty (40) hours" (Minn. Stat. 177.42, subd. 4). DLI publishes no weekend or holiday multipliers.

Do apprentice operating engineers get this rate?

DLI's schedules list journeyworker rates only. Apprentices in a registered program are paid the program's rate (Minn. R. 5200.1070); anyone else on the payroll gets the full rate for the work performed.

Which county pays operating engineers the most in Minnesota?

Aitkin County, at $85.21 an hour for the main classification. The lowest is Wilkin County at $28.00, and the median county is $82.86.