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Montana · Operating Engineer · 21 counties
Operating Engineer prevailing wage, Yellowstone County group, Montana (21 counties)
DLI sets the same operating engineer rates, row for row, in 21 counties: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Stillwater, Treasure, Valley, Wibaux and Yellowstone. Every figure on this page applies in each of them.
$47.29an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$30.50 base wage + $16.79 fringe benefits · Building Construction · District 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney)
On Montana public works in each of these 21 counties, an operating engineer must be paid at least $47.29 an hour: a $30.50 base wage plus $16.79 in benefits. DLI prints no total, so $47.29 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 each of these counties, from $44.22 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: $30.50 + $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) | $30.50 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $16.79 |
| Base + benefits (our sum; DLI prints no total) | $47.29 |
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 the Yellowstone County group
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 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney)$56.00
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 2Heavy Construction · Statewide$55.42
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 6Building Construction · District 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney)$54.85
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1Heavy Construction · Statewide$54.07
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 5Building Construction · District 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney)$53.72
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 7Highway Construction · Statewide$53.43
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 2Building Construction · District 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney)$53.10
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 4Building Construction · District 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney)$52.57
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 3Building Construction · District 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney)$51.44
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 6Highway Construction · Statewide$50.83
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 5Highway Construction · Statewide$49.64
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 4Highway Construction · Statewide$48.30
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 3Highway Construction · Statewide$47.36
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1Building Construction · District 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney)$47.29
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 2Highway Construction · Statewide$46.71
- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1Highway Construction · Statewide$44.22
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1Building ConstructionDistrict 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney) | $30.50 | $16.79 | $47.29 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 2Building ConstructionDistrict 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney) | $33.55 | $19.55 | $53.10 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 3Building ConstructionDistrict 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney) | $34.65 | $16.79 | $51.44 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 4Building ConstructionDistrict 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney) | $35.78 | $16.79 | $52.57 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 5Building ConstructionDistrict 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney) | $36.93 | $16.79 | $53.72 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 6Building ConstructionDistrict 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney) | $38.06 | $16.79 | $54.85 | Apr 25, 2026 |
| CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 7Building ConstructionDistrict 4 (Billings, Miles City and Sidney) | $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 rates in these counties
The counties share DLI's rates, but not always the same federal wage determination. Montana's law doesn't apply where federal law sets the rate, so a Davis-Bacon job uses the federal schedule (DLI FAQ).
| County | Federal classification | Base + fringe | WD | vs DLI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Horn County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Carbon County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Carter County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Custer County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Daniels County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Dawson County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Fallon County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Garfield County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| McCone County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Musselshell County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Powder River County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Prairie County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Richland County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Roosevelt County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Rosebud County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Sheridan County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Stillwater County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Treasure County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Valley County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Wibaux County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Yellowstone County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
How the Yellowstone County group 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
- Yellowstone County groupbase $30.50$47.29
- Musselshell Countybase $30.50$47.29
- Big Horn Countybase $30.50$47.29
- Golden Valley Countybase $32.34$49.13
Which county is in which operating engineer group
Every Montana county with a operating engineer rate. Counties DLI treats alike share one page; the rest have their own.
| Counties | Main classification | Base wage | Total rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallatin County group, 14 localities: Blaine, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Gallatin, Golden Valley, Hill, Judith Basin, Meagher, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Sweet Grass, Wheatland | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $32.34 | $49.13 |
| Lewis and Clark County group, 14 localities: Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Glacier, Granite, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, Madison, Pondera, Powell, Silver Bow, Teton, Toole | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $32.34 | $49.13 |
| Yellowstone County group, 21 localities: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Stillwater, Treasure, Valley, Wibaux, Yellowstone | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $30.50 | $47.29 |
| Missoula County group, 7 localities: Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Sanders | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS GROUP 1 | $31.33 | $46.38 |
4 groups of counties with identical DLI rates, and 0 counties with rates of their own.
Montana operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from DLI on this rate
- 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).
Every trade's rates, county by county: Big Horn · Carbon · Carter · Custer · Daniels · Dawson · Fallon · Garfield · McCone · Musselshell · Powder River · Prairie · Richland · Roosevelt · Rosebud · Sheridan · Stillwater · Treasure · Valley · Wibaux · Yellowstone
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 rates, revised April 25, 2026. For the row this page leads with:
- Big Horn: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Carbon: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Carter: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Custer: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Daniels: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Dawson: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Fallon: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Garfield: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- McCone: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Musselshell: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Powder River: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Prairie: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Richland: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Roosevelt: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Rosebud: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Sheridan: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Stillwater: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Treasure: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Valley: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Wibaux: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
- Yellowstone: MTDLI-BLD-2026-04-25, page 8
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 every Montana rate as CSV · Report an error