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Hill County, MT · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Hill County, Montana
$49.13an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$32.34 base wage + $16.79 fringe benefits · Building Construction · District 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls)
Hill County uses the same operating engineer rates as 13 other counties. See all of them on one page.
On Montana public works in Hill County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $49.13 an hour: a $32.34 base wage plus $16.79 in benefits. DLI prints no total, so $49.13 is our sum of the two.
DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026; this rate, effective April 25, 2026. "The wage rates applicable to a particular public works project are those in effect at the time the bid specifications are advertised" (ARM 24.17.127). Checked against erd.dli.mt.gov on October 25, 2026.
DLI lists 21 operating engineer rates for Hill County, from $41.18 to $60.33 an hour. See all of them.
- DLI allowances (verbatim): Zon e Pay:; Districts 2 & 3; 0-30 mi. base pay; >30-60 mi. + $3.50/hr.; >60 mi. + $5.50/hr.; District 4; 0-30 mi. free zone; >30-60 mi. + $3.05/hr.; >60 mi. + $4.85/hr.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $32.34 + $16.79
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DLI prints the 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) | $32.34 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $16.79 |
| Base + benefits (our sum; DLI prints no total) | $49.13 |
When does this rate change?
- Montana rates lock when the bid specifications are advertised, so a later revision doesn't change an advertised project (ARM 24.17.127; section E of each 2026 schedule). Contracts of more than 30 months add 3% a year (MCA 18-2-417).
- DLI sets rates once a year and revises them mid-year when needed. The 2026 rates were revised effective April 25, 2026; the 2027 drafts are out for comment until November 15, 2026 (DLI rates page).
Every operating engineer rate in Hill County
As DLI lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 7Heavy Construction · Statewide$60.33
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 6Heavy Construction · Statewide$59.25
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 5Heavy Construction · Statewide$58.17
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 4Heavy Construction · Statewide$57.08
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 3Heavy Construction · Statewide$56.01
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 7Building Construction · District 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls)$56.00
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 2Heavy Construction · Statewide$55.42
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 6Building Construction · District 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls)$54.85
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1Heavy Construction · Statewide$54.07
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 5Building Construction · District 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls)$53.72
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 7Highway Construction · Statewide$53.43
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 4Building Construction · District 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls)$51.59
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 2Building Construction · District 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls)$51.24
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 6Highway Construction · Statewide$50.83
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 5Highway Construction · Statewide$49.64
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1Building Construction · District 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls)$49.13
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 4Highway Construction · Statewide$48.30
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 3Highway Construction · Statewide$47.36
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 2Highway Construction · Statewide$46.71
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1Highway Construction · Statewide$44.22
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 3Building Construction · District 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls)$41.18
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1Building ConstructionDistrict 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls) | $32.34 | $16.79 | $49.13 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 2Building ConstructionDistrict 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls) | $34.45 | $16.79 | $51.24 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 3Building ConstructionDistrict 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls) | $33.29 | $7.89 | $41.18 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 4Building ConstructionDistrict 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls) | $35.81 | $15.78 | $51.59 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 5Building ConstructionDistrict 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls) | $36.93 | $16.79 | $53.72 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 6Building ConstructionDistrict 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls) | $38.06 | $16.79 | $54.85 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 7Building ConstructionDistrict 3 (Bozeman and Great Falls) | $39.21 | $16.79 | $56.00 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1Heavy ConstructionStatewide | $35.97 | $18.10 | $54.07 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 2Heavy ConstructionStatewide | $37.32 | $18.10 | $55.42 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 3Heavy ConstructionStatewide | $37.91 | $18.10 | $56.01 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 4Heavy ConstructionStatewide | $38.98 | $18.10 | $57.08 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 5Heavy ConstructionStatewide | $40.07 | $18.10 | $58.17 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 6Heavy ConstructionStatewide | $41.15 | $18.10 | $59.25 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 7Heavy ConstructionStatewide | $42.23 | $18.10 | $60.33 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1Highway ConstructionStatewide | $31.52 | $12.70 | $44.22 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 2Highway ConstructionStatewide | $34.01 | $12.70 | $46.71 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 3Highway ConstructionStatewide | $34.66 | $12.70 | $47.36 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 4Highway ConstructionStatewide | $35.60 | $12.70 | $48.30 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 5Highway ConstructionStatewide | $36.94 | $12.70 | $49.64 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 6Highway ConstructionStatewide | $38.13 | $12.70 | $50.83 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 7Highway ConstructionStatewide | $40.73 | $12.70 | $53.43 | Apr 25, 2026 |
Davis-Bacon operating engineer rate in Hill County
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's wage determinations. Montana's law doesn't apply where federal law sets the rate, so a Davis-Bacon job uses the federal schedule (DLI FAQ).
We don't put a federal figure next to DLI's here, because the federal determinations split this trade into groups that don't line up with DLI's. The federal rows for this trade are below; match the classification to the work.
| Construction | Federal classification | Base wage | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (7) CRANES, 150 TONS TO INCLUDING 250 TONS (ADD $1.00 FOR EVERY 100 TONS OVER 250 TONS); CRANE, TOWER (ALL) ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR …ENGI0400-003 | $42.00 | $58.20 | MT20260037 Mod 1 |
| Building | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (6) CRANES 75 TO 144 TONS, WHIRLEY CRANES ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH …ENGI0400-003 | $40.00 | $56.20 | MT20260037 Mod 1 |
| Building | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (5) CRANES 45-74 TONS ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE …ENGI0400-003 | $38.00 | $54.20 | MT20260037 Mod 1 |
| Building | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (4) CRANES 25-44 TONS ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL BE …ENGI0400-003 | $38.00 | $54.20 | MT20260037 Mod 1 |
| Building | OPERATOR: FORKLIFTSUMT2011-013 | $21.44 | $29.49 | MT20260037 Mod 1 |
| Building | OPERATOR: EXCAVATORSUMT2011-013 | $22.98 | $28.55 | MT20260037 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 2 Air Doctor; Backhoe/Excavator/Shovel up to and including 3 CU Yard; Bit Grinder; Bituminous Paving Travel Plant; Boring …SAMT2026-001 | $38.00 | $52.05 | MT20260080 Mod 3 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 Asphalt Paving Machine; Asphalt Screed; Backhoe/Excavator/Shovel Over 3 CU Yard; Cableway Highline; Concrete Batch Plant; …SAMT2026-001 | $39.27 | $53.32 | MT20260080 Mod 3 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 Asphalt/Hot Plant Operator, Cranes, 25 Tons up to and incl. 44 Tons; Crusher Operator; Finish Motor Patrol; Finish ScraperSAMT2026-001 | $40.60 | $54.65 | MT20260080 Mod 3 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 5 Cranes, 45 Tons up to and incl. 74 TonsSAMT2026-001 | $41.85 | $55.90 | MT20260080 Mod 3 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 6 Cranes, 75 Tons up to and incl. 149 Tons; Crane, Whirley (All)SAMT2026-001 | $43.20 | $57.25 | MT20260080 Mod 3 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 7 Cranes, 150 Tons up to and incl. 250 Tons; Cranes, over 250 tons-add $1.00 for every 100 tons over 250 tons; Crane, Tower …SAMT2026-001 | $46.15 | $60.20 | MT20260080 Mod 3 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR:, ZONE 1: (7) CRANES, 150 TONS TO INCLUDING 250 TONS (ADD $1.00 FOR EVERY 100 TONS OVER 250 TONS); CRANE, STIFF-LEG OR DERRICK; …ENGI0400-011 | $42.23 | $58.43 | MT20260077 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ZONE 1: (6) CRANES 75 TO AND INCL. 149 TONS; CRANES, WHIRLEY (ALL). ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY …ENGI0400-011 | $41.15 | $57.35 | MT20260077 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ZONE 1: (5) CRANES 45 TONS TO AND INCL. 74 TONS. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO …ENGI0400-011 | $40.07 | $56.27 | MT20260077 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ZONE 1: (4) CRANES 25-44 TONS. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL …ENGI0400-011 | $38.98 | $55.18 | MT20260077 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ZONE 1: (3) MECHANIC, SCRAPER. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE ZONE HOURLY RATES APPLICABLE TO EACH PROJECT SHALL …ENGI0400-011 | $24.34 | $34.74 | MT20260077 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ZONE 1: (2) CRANE OILER, BULLDOZER, ROLLER (DIRT AND GRADE COMPACTION), EXCAVATOR. ZONE DEFINITIONS FOR POWER EQUPMENT OPERATORS: THE …ENGI0400-011 | $23.94 | $34.34 | MT20260077 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END)SUMT2011-053 | $25.01 | $32.79 | MT20260077 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADESUMT2011-053 | $25.44 | $33.89 | MT20260077 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERSUMT2011-053 | $23.53 | $31.58 | MT20260077 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: BACKHOESUMT2011-053 | $25.71 | $33.76 | MT20260077 Mod 1 |
Davis-Bacon rates from SAM.gov, read October 25, 2026. Our federal totals are base plus fringe; DOL prints no total. Montana Davis-Bacon changes
How Hill 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 Montana
Wage and benefits, nearby
- Hill Countybase $32.34$49.13
- Liberty Countybase $32.34$49.13
- Blaine Countybase $32.34$49.13
- Valley Countybase $30.50$47.29
Operating Engineer rates in nearby counties
Current DLI rates. Building rates apply "to the district in which the work is being performed"; heavy and highway rates are statewide (MCA 18-2-403).
DLI's operating engineer rates for Hill County are the same as in 13 other counties: Blaine, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Gallatin, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Meagher and 5 more. The closest county with a different rate is Valley County, at $47.29.
| County | Classification | Base wage | Total rate | vs Hill County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hill County | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $32.34 | $49.13 | |
| Liberty County | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $32.34 | $49.13 | same |
| Blaine County | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $32.34 | $49.13 | same |
| Chouteau County | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $32.34 | $49.13 | same |
| Toole County | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $32.34 | $49.13 | same |
| Pondera County | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $32.34 | $49.13 | same |
| Phillips County | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $32.34 | $49.13 | same |
Montana operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from DLI on this rate
- DLI DLI 2026 schedule, page 8
- DLI's state prevailing wage rates
- DLI lists journey-level rates. Registered apprentices get their program's percentage of the rate plus the full benefit (MCA 18-2-416).
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your base wage to what your employer pays into benefit plans for you (or in cash), and compare it with the total. Contractors post the wages and benefits on site from day one and keep payroll records 3 years (MCA 18-2-422). DLI: (406) 444-6543.
Source
Department of Labor & Industry (DLI), DLI 2026 schedule MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, effective April 25, 2026, page 8: erd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/labor-standards/Prevailing-Wage/2026-Building-Construction.pdf
We read every row of DLI's 2026 Building, Heavy and Highway PDFs and check every number with a second, separate reader. DLI prints no total; ours is base plus benefit. How we check · Download Hill County as CSV · Report an error