Home / New Mexico / Chaves County / Operating Engineer
Chaves County, NM · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Chaves County, New Mexico
$34.83an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum) · Operators – Group I
$26.61 base wage + $8.22 fringe benefits · General building
Chaves County uses the same operating engineer rates as 32 other counties. See all of them on one page.
On New Mexico public works in Chaves County, an operating engineer working as operators – group i must be paid at least $34.83 an hour: a $26.61 base wage plus $8.22 in fringe. DWS prints no total, so $34.83 is our sum of the two. DWS's schedule raises it to $37.53 on January 1, 2027.
11.1.2.20 NMAC rates for decisions issued from July 1, 2026; this rate, effective July 1, 2026. Each project is governed by one wage rate decision "which shall remain effective for the duration of the project" (11.1.2.14 NMAC). Checked against dws.state.nm.us on October 25, 2026.
DWS lists 34 operating engineer rates for Chaves County, from $29.42 to $51.67 an hour. See all of them.
These rates come from the rule. The DWS wage rate decision issued for the project is what binds.
- Includes an apprenticeship contribution of $0.60 inside the fringe (11.1.2.19(C) NMAC).
Base wage and fringe benefits: $26.61 + $8.22
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DWS prints the fringe 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) | $26.61 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $8.22 |
| Base + fringe (our sum; DWS prints no total) | $34.83 |
When does this rate change?
- Each project is governed by one wage rate decision for its duration. A new decision issued before bids replaces the old one only if the agency gets it at least 10 days before bid opening (11.1.2.14(C)–(E) NMAC).
- This page shows the rates for decisions issued from July 1, 2026 (Register XXXVII-12), with the 2027 rates for decisions issued from January 1, 2027 (Register XXXVII-20).
Dated rates for this classification
DWS prints more than one dated line for Operators – Group I. The one in force on October 25, 2026 leads this page; scheduled lines take effect on their date.
| Effective | Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | $34.83 ($26.61 + $8.22) | Earlier |
| Jul 1, 2026 | $34.83 ($26.61 + $8.22) | In force |
| Jan 1, 2027 | $37.53 ($27.91 + $9.62) | Scheduled |
Every operating engineer rate in Chaves County
As DWS lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operators – Group IStreet, highway, utility and light engineering | $23.69 | $6.95 | $30.64 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IIStreet, highway, utility and light engineering | $24.72 | $6.95 | $31.67 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IIIStreet, highway, utility and light engineering | $27.03 | $6.95 | $33.98 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IVStreet, highway, utility and light engineering | $28.65 | $6.95 | $35.60 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VStreet, highway, utility and light engineering | $28.79 | $6.95 | $35.74 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIStreet, highway, utility and light engineering | $29.05 | $6.95 | $36.00 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIIStreet, highway, utility and light engineering | $29.28 | $6.95 | $36.23 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIIIStreet, highway, utility and light engineering | $30.27 | $6.95 | $37.22 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IXStreet, highway, utility and light engineering | $40.08 | $6.95 | $47.03 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group XStreet, highway, utility and light engineering | $44.72 | $6.95 | $51.67 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IGeneral building | $26.61 | $8.22 | $34.83 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IIGeneral building | $29.07 | $8.22 | $37.29 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IIIGeneral building | $29.61 | $8.22 | $37.83 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IVGeneral building | $30.11 | $8.22 | $38.33 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VGeneral building | $30.33 | $8.22 | $38.55 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIGeneral building | $30.57 | $8.22 | $38.79 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIIGeneral building | $30.68 | $8.22 | $38.90 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIIIGeneral building | $34.14 | $8.22 | $42.36 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IXGeneral building | $36.89 | $8.22 | $45.11 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group XGeneral building | $40.77 | $8.22 | $48.99 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IResidential | $21.20 | $8.22 | $29.42 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VResidential | $23.18 | $8.22 | $31.40 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIIResidential | $27.99 | $8.22 | $36.21 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIIIResidential | $30.38 | $8.22 | $38.60 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IHeavy engineering | $27.02 | $6.95 | $33.97 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IIHeavy engineering | $27.25 | $6.95 | $34.20 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IIIHeavy engineering | $28.31 | $6.95 | $35.26 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IVHeavy engineering | $28.91 | $6.95 | $35.86 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VHeavy engineering | $29.03 | $6.95 | $35.98 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIHeavy engineering | $29.31 | $6.95 | $36.26 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIIHeavy engineering | $29.33 | $6.95 | $36.28 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group VIIIHeavy engineering | $32.39 | $6.95 | $39.34 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group IXHeavy engineering | $39.15 | $6.95 | $46.10 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Operators – Group XHeavy engineering | $43.52 | $6.95 | $50.47 | Jul 1, 2026 |
Davis-Bacon operating engineer rate in Chaves County
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's wage determinations. When a contract requires both the state rate and the Davis-Bacon rate, paying the higher of the two meets both. The contract documents say which apply.
We don't put a federal figure next to DWS's here, because the federal determinations split this trade into groups that don't line up with DWS'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 ((8) CRANE)ENGI0953-007 | $31.43 | $36.08 | NM20260014 Mod 1 |
| Building | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ((4) BOBCAT/SKID LOADER, LOADER (FRONT END))ENGI0953-007 | $27.70 | $32.35 | NM20260014 Mod 1 |
| Building | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ((2) ROLLER(DIRT AND GRADE COMPACTION))ENGI0953-007 | $26.75 | $31.40 | NM20260014 Mod 1 |
| Building | OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADESUNM2010-002 | $21.39 | $26.33 | NM20260014 Mod 1 |
| Building | OPERATOR: FORKLIFTSUNM2010-002 | $21.13 | $25.96 | NM20260014 Mod 1 |
| Building | OPERATOR: BACKHOESUNM2010-002 | $22.13 | $26.43 | NM20260014 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: TRACTORSUNM2011-004 | $15.40 | $15.66 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCREEDSUNM2011-004 | $15.70 | $15.96 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCRAPERSUNM2011-004 | $15.91 | $16.17 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLER (ASPHALT, DIRT, AND SHEEPSFOOT) (CATRON, CHAVES, CURRY, EDDY, GRANT, HIDALGO, LINCOLN, LUNA, OTERO, ROOSEVELT, SIERRA, SOCORRO)SUNM2011-004 | $15.86 | $16.12 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: OILERSUNM2011-004 | $15.79 | $16.05 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANIC (CATRON, CHAVES, CURRY, DEBACA, EDDY, GRANT, HIDALGO, LINCOLN, LUNA, OTERO, ROOSEVELT, SIERRA, SOCORRO)SUNM2011-004 | $19.44 | $19.70 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END)SUNM2011-004 | $16.12 | $16.38 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADESUNM2011-004 | $18.02 | $18.28 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTSUNM2011-004 | $17.16 | $17.42 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERSUNM2011-004 | $16.25 | $16.51 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID LOADERSUNM2011-004 | $18.06 | $18.32 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (CATRON, CHAVES, CURRY, DEBACA, GRANT, HIDALGO, LINCOLN, LUNA, OTERO, ROOSEVELT, SIERRA, SOCORRO)SUNM2011-004 | $19.92 | $20.18 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (TRENCHER)SUNM2011-004 | $16.31 | $16.57 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (MILLING MACHINE)SUNM2011-004 | $16.59 | $16.85 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (DISTRIBUTOR)SUNM2011-004 | $14.50 | $14.76 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (CRUSHER)SUNM2011-004 | $16.53 | $16.79 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (BROOM)SUNM2011-004 | $15.48 | $15.74 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Highway | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (ASPHALT/CONCRETE PAVER, LAYDOWN MACHINE, AND PLANT)SUNM2011-004 | $15.42 | $15.68 | NM20260036 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: SCRAPERSUNM2009-004 | $14.03 | $14.03 | NM20260010 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END)SUNM2009-004 | $22.07 | $27.12 | NM20260010 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADESUNM2009-004 | $18.79 | $21.14 | NM20260010 Mod 1 |
| Heavy | OPERATOR: BACKHOESUNM2009-004 | $14.03 | $14.03 | NM20260010 Mod 1 |
Davis-Bacon rates from SAM.gov, read October 25, 2026. Our federal totals are base plus fringe; DOL prints no total. New Mexico Davis-Bacon changes
How Chaves 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 New Mexico
Wage and fringe, nearby
- Chaves Countybase $26.61$34.83
- Eddy Countybase $26.61$34.83
- Lincoln Countybase $26.61$34.83
- De Baca Countybase $26.61$34.83
Operating Engineer rates in nearby counties
Current DWS rates. New Mexico publishes one statewide table; a few rows name counties, and zones are set by distance (11.1.2.20 NMAC).
DWS's operating engineer rates for Chaves County are the same as in 32 other counties: Bernalillo, Catron, Cibola, Colfax, Curry, De Baca, Dona Ana, Eddy and 24 more.
| County | Classification | Base wage | Total rate | vs Chaves County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaves County | Operators – Group I | $26.61 | $34.83 | |
| Eddy County | Operators – Group I | $26.61 | $34.83 | same |
| Lincoln County | Operators – Group I | $26.61 | $34.83 | same |
| De Baca County | Operators – Group I | $26.61 | $34.83 | same |
| Roosevelt County | Operators – Group I | $26.61 | $34.83 | same |
| Lea County | Operators – Group I | $26.61 | $34.83 | same |
| Otero County | Operators – Group I | $26.61 | $34.83 | same |
New Mexico operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from DWS on this rate
- DWS 11.1.2.20 NMAC, page 248
- the 11.1.2.20 NMAC rate table
- The table lists journeyworker and some helper rates. Registered apprentices are paid their program's rates (11.1.2.19 NMAC).
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your base wage to what your employer pays into fringe plans for you, and compare it with the total. Certified payrolls carry the project's wage rate decision number and go to the agency monthly (11.1.2.9 NMAC). DWS Public Works: DWS prevailing wage.
Source
Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS), 11.1.2.20 NMAC NMAC-11.1.2.20-2026-07-01, issued June 23, 2026, effective July 1, 2026, page 248: prod-rf-lambda.rtssaas.com/PublicFiles/d89c47bd0d70402dba89b03a22bda6d1/418c1197-ec20-40e0-8f50-5031517361a0/xxxvii12.pdf
We read 11.1.2.20 NMAC's rate tables as published in the New Mexico Register and check every number with a second, separate read. The rule prints no total; ours is base plus fringe, and the apprenticeship contribution is inside the fringe. How we check · Download Chaves County as CSV · Report an error