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North Carolina · Operating Engineer · 4 counties
Operating Engineer prevailing wage, Dare County group, North Carolina (4 counties)
DOL sets the same operating engineer rates, row for row, in 4 counties: Chowan, Dare, Martin and Washington. Every figure on this page applies in each of them.
$17.04an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$14.71 base wage + $2.33 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUNC2023-003
$14.38an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$14.38 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINE · SUNC2014-006
$16.89an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$14.50 base wage + $2.39 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUNC2011-050
On federally funded or assisted building construction in each of these 4 counties, an operating engineer must be paid at least $17.04 an hour: a $14.71 base wage plus $2.33 in fringe benefits, under wage determination NC20260065 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $17.04 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination NC20260065, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUNC2023-003 (August 26, 2011). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway construction in each of these 4 counties, an operating engineer must be paid at least $14.38 an hour: a $14.38 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination NC20260091 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $14.38 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination NC20260091, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for highway construction; rate identifier SUNC2014-006 (November 17, 2014). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in each of these 4 counties, an operating engineer must be paid at least $16.89 an hour: a $14.50 base wage plus $2.39 in fringe benefits, under wage determination NC20260069 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $16.89 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination NC20260069, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier SUNC2011-050 (August 26, 2011). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). North Carolina has no state prevailing wage law (DOL state table).
DOL lists 31 operating engineer rates for each of these counties, from $9.30 to $24.66 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $14.71 + $2.33
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) | $14.71 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $2.33 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $17.04 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $14.38 + $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) | $14.38 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $14.38 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $14.50 + $2.39
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) | $14.50 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $2.39 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $16.89 |
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 North Carolina change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in the Dare County group
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuildingSUNC2023-003 | $15.71 | $1.49 | $17.20 | NC20260065 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: CRANEBuildingSUNC2023-003 | $19.25 | $2.37 | $21.62 | NC20260065 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUNC2023-003 | $14.71 | $2.33 | $17.04 | NC20260065 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINEHighwaySUNC2014-006 | $14.38 | $0.00 | $14.38 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANICHighwaySUNC2014-006 | $18.63 | $0.00 | $18.63 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (SLIP FORM MACHINE)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $19.29 | $0.00 | $19.29 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (SCRAPER ROUGH)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $10.17 | $0.00 | $10.17 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (SCRAPER FINISH)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $13.98 | $0.00 | $13.98 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (ROLLER OTHER)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $10.48 | $0.00 | $10.48 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (ROLLER ASPHALT FINISH)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $13.65 | $0.00 | $13.65 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (ROLLER ASPHALT BREAKDOWN)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $12.13 | $0.00 | $12.13 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (PAVER ASPHALT)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $15.53 | $0.00 | $15.53 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OILER/GREASER)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $13.45 | $0.00 | $13.45 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (OFF-ROAD HAULER/WATER TANKER)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $9.30 | $0.00 | $9.30 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (MATERIAL TRANSFER VEHICLE (SHUTTLE BUGGY))HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $17.39 | $0.00 | $17.39 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (LOADER GREATER THAN 2 CUBIC YARDS)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $13.58 | $0.00 | $13.58 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (LOADER 2 CUBIC YARDS OR LESS)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $10.28 | $0.00 | $10.28 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (GRADER/BLADE ROUGH)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $15.28 | $0.00 | $15.28 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (GRADER/BLADE FINE)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $16.73 | $0.00 | $16.73 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (EXCAVATOR ROUGH)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $12.99 | $0.00 | $12.99 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (EXCAVATOR FINE)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $17.61 | $0.00 | $17.61 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (DRILL OPERATOR STRUCTURE)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $19.12 | $0.00 | $19.12 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (DRILL OPERATOR ROCK)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $15.43 | $1.61 | $17.04 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANE ROUGH/ALL TERRAIN)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $19.00 | $0.00 | $19.00 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANE OTHER)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $21.48 | $0.00 | $21.48 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANE BOOM TRUCKS)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $17.25 | $0.00 | $17.25 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CONCRETE GRINDER/GROOVER)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $24.66 | $0.00 | $24.66 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (BULLDOZER ROUGH)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $14.09 | $0.00 | $14.09 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (BULLDOZER FINE)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $18.46 | $0.00 | $18.46 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (ASPHALT BROOM TRACTOR)HighwaySUNC2014-006 | $13.28 | $0.00 | $13.28 | NC20260091 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavySUNC2011-050 | $14.50 | $2.39 | $16.89 | NC20260069 Mod 1 |
How the Dare 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 North Carolina
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Dare County groupbase $14.71$17.04
- Tyrrell Countybase $14.71$17.04
- Hyde Countybase $14.71$17.04
- Currituck Countybase $21.00$23.89
Which county is in which operating engineer group
Every North Carolina county with a operating engineer rate. Counties DOL treats alike share one page; the rest have their own.
| Counties | Main classification | Base wage | Total rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston County group, 2 localities: Franklin, Johnston | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Wake County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Wayne County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Craven County group, 3 localities: Craven, Jones, Pamlico | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.00 | $23.89 |
| Brunswick County group, 2 localities: Brunswick, Pender | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.00 | $23.89 |
| Cumberland County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.00 | $23.89 |
| Currituck County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.00 | $23.89 |
| Gates County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.00 | $23.89 |
| Hoke County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.00 | $23.89 |
| New Hanover County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.00 | $23.89 |
| Onslow County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.00 | $23.89 |
| Greene County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $18.23 | $20.39 |
| Surry County group, 13 localities: Ashe, Clay, Graham, Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Wilkes, Yancey | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $18.60 | $20.01 |
| Alleghany County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $18.60 | $20.01 |
| Avery County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $18.60 | $20.01 |
| Cherokee County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $18.60 | $20.01 |
| Jackson County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $18.60 | $20.01 |
| Watauga County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $18.60 | $20.01 |
| Pitt County group, 3 localities: Edgecombe, Nash, Pitt | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.45 | $19.45 |
| Chatham County group, 2 localities: Chatham, Person | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.45 | $19.45 |
| Alamance County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.45 | $19.45 |
| Durham County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.45 | $19.45 |
| Orange County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.45 | $19.45 |
| Stokes County group, 3 localities: Davie, Stokes, Yadkin | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.22 | $19.22 |
| Randolph County group, 2 localities: Randolph, Rockingham | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.22 | $19.22 |
| Davidson County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.22 | $19.22 |
| Forsyth County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.22 | $19.22 |
| Guilford County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.22 | $19.22 |
| Harnett County group, 6 localities: Bladen, Columbus, Harnett, Robeson, Scotland, Wilson | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.98 | $18.89 |
| Moore County group, 3 localities: Lee, Montgomery, Moore | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.98 | $18.89 |
| Lenoir County group, 2 localities: Duplin, Lenoir | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.98 | $18.89 |
| Cleveland County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.98 | $18.89 |
| Richmond County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.98 | $18.89 |
| Sampson County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.98 | $18.89 |
| Stanly County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.98 | $18.89 |
| Anson County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.00 | $18.48 |
| Carteret County group, 7 localities: Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Carteret, Hertford, Hyde, Tyrrell | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.71 | $17.04 |
| Dare County group, 4 localities: Chowan, Dare, Martin, Washington | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.71 | $17.04 |
| Pasquotank County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.71 | $17.04 |
| Perquimans County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.71 | $17.04 |
| Buncombe County group, 4 localities: Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.50 | $16.58 |
| Burke County group, 3 localities: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.50 | $16.58 |
| Cabarrus County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.50 | $16.58 |
| Catawba County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.50 | $16.58 |
| Gaston County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.50 | $16.58 |
| Iredell County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.50 | $16.58 |
| Lincoln County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.50 | $16.58 |
| Mecklenburg County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.50 | $16.58 |
| Rowan County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.50 | $16.58 |
| Union County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.50 | $16.58 |
| Granville County group, 4 localities: Granville, Halifax, Vance, Warren | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $15.96 | $15.96 |
| Caswell County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $15.96 | $15.96 |
| Northampton County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $15.96 | $15.96 |
16 groups of counties with identical DOL rates, and 37 counties with rates of their own.
North Carolina operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from DOL on this rate
- 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)).
Every trade's rates, county by county: Chowan · Dare · Martin · Washington
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), Davis-Bacon wage determinations on SAM.gov, as of October 25, 2026. For the row this page leads with:
- Chowan: NC20260065 Mod 1
- Dare: NC20260065 Mod 1
- Martin: NC20260065 Mod 1
- Washington: NC20260065 Mod 1
We read every active North Carolina 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 every North Carolina rate as CSV · Report an error