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Custer County, NE · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Custer County, Nebraska
$24.04an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$21.82 base wage + $2.22 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUNE2012-005
$8.40an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$8.40 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZER · SUNE1981-001
$51.93an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$32.18 base wage + $19.75 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: TRENCHER · ENGI0571-005
$22.57an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$19.96 base wage + $2.61 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUNE2011-014
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Custer County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $24.04 an hour: a $21.82 base wage plus $2.22 in fringe benefits, under wage determination NE20260068 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $24.04 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination NE20260068, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUNE2012-005 (April 19, 2012). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted residential construction in Custer County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $8.40 an hour: a $8.40 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination NE20260016 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $8.40 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination NE20260016, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for residential construction; rate identifier SUNE1981-001 (October 1, 1981). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway construction in Custer County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $51.93 an hour: a $32.18 base wage plus $19.75 in fringe benefits, under wage determination NE20260031 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $51.93 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination NE20260031, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for highway construction; rate identifier ENGI0571-005 (June 1, 2025). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in Custer County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $22.57 an hour: a $19.96 base wage plus $2.61 in fringe benefits, under wage determination NE20260047 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $22.57 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination NE20260047, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier SUNE2011-014 (August 31, 2011). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Nebraska has no state wage schedule; Davis-Bacon applies to federally funded work. Bidders on state work file a statement that they follow "fair labor standards" (Neb. Rev. Stat. 73-104), but no agency publishes rates.
DOL lists 30 operating engineer rates for Custer County, from $7.25 to $51.93 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $21.82 + $2.22
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe 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) | $21.82 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $2.22 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $24.04 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $8.40 + $0.00
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe 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) | $8.40 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $8.40 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $32.18 + $19.75
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe 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) | $32.18 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $19.75 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $51.93 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $19.96 + $2.61
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe 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) | $19.96 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $2.61 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $22.57 |
When does this rate change?
- A contract keeps the wage determination in its bid documents. Modifications published before bid opening apply to it, though one published less than 10 days before can be left out if the agency finds there isn't time to tell bidders (29 CFR 1.6(c)).
- DOL changes a WD by publishing a numbered modification on SAM.gov. This page reads the modification named in the Source line; the Nebraska change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Custer County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPERATOR: LOADERBuildingSUNE2012-005 | $16.58 | $0.94 | $17.52 | NE20260068 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUNE2012-005 | $21.82 | $2.22 | $24.04 | NE20260068 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: TRENCHERHighwayENGI0571-005 | $32.18 | $19.75 | $51.93 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE, EXCAVATOR, TRACKHOE (ADAMS, BLAINE, BUFFALO, CLAY, CUSTER, FRANKLIN, GARFIELD, GREELEY, HALL, HAMILTON, HOWARD, KEARNEY, LOUP, MERRICK, NANCE, NUCKOLLS, PHELPS, SHERMAN, VALLEY, WEBSTER, WHEELER)HighwaySUNE2011-027 | $15.14 | $0.00 | $15.14 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADE (BLAINE, BUFFALO, CUSTER, CLAY, FRANKLIN, GARFIELD, GREELEY, HAMILTON, HOWARD, KEARNEY, LOUP, MERRICK, NANCE, NUCKOLLS, PHELPS, SHERMAN, WEBSTER & WHEELER COUNTIES)HighwaySUNE2011-027 | $15.51 | $0.00 | $15.51 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: TRACTOR (ADAMS, BLAINE, BUFFALO, CUSTER, CLAY, FRANKLIN, GARFIELD, GREELEY, HAMILTON, HARLAND, HOWARD, KEARNEY, LOUP, MERRICK, NANCE, NUCKOLLS, PHELPS, SHERMAN, VALLEY WEBSTER, & WHEELE COUNTIES)HighwaySUNE2011-027 | $12.80 | $0.00 | $12.80 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: SCREEDHighwaySUNE2011-027 | $12.01 | $0.00 | $12.01 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: SCRAPER (ADAMS, BLAINE, BUFFALO, CUSTER, CLAY, FRANKLIN, GARFIELD, GREELEY, HALL, HAMILTON, HOWARD, KEARNEY, LOUP, MERRICK, NANCE, NUCKOLLS, PHELPS, SHERMAN, VALLEY WEBSTER, & WHEELE COUNTIES)HighwaySUNE2011-027 | $15.79 | $0.00 | $15.79 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ROLLER (BLAINE, BUFFALO, CUSTER, CLAY, FRANKLIN, GARFIELD, GREELEY, HALL, HAMILTON, HOWARD, KEARNEY, LOUP, MERRICK, NANCE, NUCKOLLS, PHELPS, SHERMAN, WEBSTER, & WHEELE COUNTIES)HighwaySUNE2011-027 | $12.00 | $0.00 | $12.00 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: PAVER (ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE)HighwaySUNE2011-027 | $12.35 | $0.00 | $12.35 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: MECHANIC (ADAMS, BLAINE, BUFFALO, CUSTER, CLAY, FRANKLIN, GARFIELD, GREELEY, HAMILTON, HARLAND, HOWARD, KEARNEY, LOUP, MERRICK, NANCE, NUCKOLLS, PHELPS, SHERMAN, VALLEY WEBSTER, & WHEELE COUNTIES)HighwaySUNE2011-027 | $15.42 | $0.00 | $15.42 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADER (CUSTER COUNTY)HighwaySUNE2011-027 | $17.58 | $0.00 | $17.58 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: DISTRIBUTORHighwaySUNE2011-027 | $14.37 | $0.00 | $14.37 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: CRANE (ADAMS, BLAINE, BUFFALO, CUSTER, CLAY, FRANKLIN, GARFIELD, GREELEY, HALL, HAMILTON, HOWARD, KEARNEY, LOUP, MERRICK, NANCE, NUCKOLLS, PHELPS, SHERMAN, VALLEY WEBSTER, & WHEELE COUNTIES)HighwaySUNE2011-027 | $16.17 | $0.00 | $16.17 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: COMPACTORHighwaySUNE2011-027 | $10.05 | $0.00 | $10.05 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: CHAIN SAWHighwaySUNE2011-027 | $13.35 | $0.00 | $13.35 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHighwaySUNE2011-027 | $15.69 | $0.00 | $15.69 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BROOM/SWEEPERHighwaySUNE2011-027 | $10.77 | $0.00 | $10.77 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE LOADER COMBOHighwaySUNE2011-027 | $14.33 | $0.00 | $14.33 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ASPHALT PLANTHighwaySUNE2011-027 | $12.75 | $0.00 | $12.75 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATING ENGINEERS: (SKID LOADER)HighwaySUNE2011-027 | $12.96 | $0.00 | $12.96 | NE20260031 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: SCRAPERHeavySUNE2011-014 | $14.89 | $2.06 | $16.95 | NE20260047 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERHeavySUNE2011-014 | $15.54 | $1.19 | $16.73 | NE20260047 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavySUNE2011-014 | $15.95 | $3.04 | $18.99 | NE20260047 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERHeavySUNE2011-014 | $19.47 | $4.07 | $23.54 | NE20260047 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavySUNE2011-014 | $19.96 | $2.61 | $22.57 | NE20260047 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERResidentialSUNE1981-001 | $8.40 | $0.00 | $8.40 | NE20260016 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (ENDLOADER)ResidentialSUNE1981-001 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | NE20260016 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE)ResidentialSUNE1981-001 | $8.00 | $0.00 | $8.00 | NE20260016 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (ASPHALT PAVER)ResidentialSUNE1981-001 | $7.60 | $0.00 | $7.60 | NE20260016 Mod 1 |
How Custer 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 Nebraska
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Custer Countybase $21.82$24.04
- Dawson Countybase $20.24$23.08
- Blaine Countybase $21.82$24.04
- Loup Countybase $21.82$24.04
Operating Engineer rates in nearby counties
Current DOL rates. Davis-Bacon rates are set for groups of counties, so neighbours often share them; the county where the work is done decides.
| County | Classification | Base wage | Total rate | vs Custer County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custer County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.82 | $24.04 | |
| Blaine County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.82 | $24.04 | same |
| Loup County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.82 | $24.04 | same |
| Valley County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.82 | $24.04 | same |
| Sherman County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.82 | $24.04 | same |
| Dawson County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.24 | $23.08 | −$0.96 |
| Logan County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.24 | $23.08 | −$0.96 |
Nebraska operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from DOL on this rate
- DOL wage determination
- SAM.gov wage determinations
- Davis-Bacon determinations list journeyworker rates. Apprentices in a program registered with DOL or a recognized state agency can be paid the program's percentage of the rate, within its ratio; anyone else gets the full rate (29 CFR 5.5(a)(4)).
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your base pay to the fringe your employer pays for you, in cash or into plans, and compare the sum with the total. The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints: 1-866-487-9243, or dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints.
Source
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (DOL), wage determination NE20260068 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/NE20260068/1
We read every active Nebraska Davis-Bacon wage determination from SAM.gov's own data and check every number with a second, independent read of the same file. DOL prints no total; ours is base plus fringe. How we check · Download Custer County as CSV · Report an error