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Ramsey County, ND · Operating Engineer

Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Ramsey County, North Dakota

Which kind of construction is the job?

The kind of construction decides the rate: each wage determination covers one. Residential covers homes and apartments up to four stories.

$65.45an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)

$40.20 base wage + $25.25 fringe benefits

POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR 180' BOOM OR JIB AND OVER ANY COMBINATION, ALL TYPES, CRANE OPERATOR 150 TONS & OVER, OVERHEAD CRANES 250 TONS & OVER, TOWER CRANES 200' AND UP, AN JIB CONFIGURATION 160' AND OVER · ENGI0049-008

$62.30an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)

$38.25 base wage + $24.05 fringe benefits

POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1: ALL CRANES 60 TONS AND OVER; CRANES DOING PILING, SHEETING, DRAGLINE/CLAM WORK; DERRICK (GUY & STIFF); GENTRY CRANE OPERATOR, HELICOPTER OPERATOR; MOLE OPERATOR OR TUNNEL MUCKING MACHINE; POWER SHOVEL 3-1/2 CUBIC YARDS AND OVER (MACHINE STANDARD MFG. RATING); TRAVELING TOWER CRANE · ENGI0049-021

$57.30an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)

$34.85 base wage + $22.45 fringe benefits

POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (ROLLER) · ENGI0049-086

On federally funded or assisted building construction in Ramsey County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $65.45 an hour: a $40.20 base wage plus $25.25 in fringe benefits, under wage determination ND20260027 (modification 2). DOL prints no total, so $65.45 is our sum of the two.

Wage determination ND20260027, modification 2, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier ENGI0049-008 (May 1, 2025). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.

On federally funded or assisted highway construction in Ramsey County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $62.30 an hour: a $38.25 base wage plus $24.05 in fringe benefits, under wage determination ND20260001 (modification 5). DOL prints no total, so $62.30 is our sum of the two.

Wage determination ND20260001, modification 5, published October 1, 2026, for highway construction; rate identifier ENGI0049-021 (October 1, 2026). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.

On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in Ramsey County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $57.30 an hour: a $34.85 base wage plus $22.45 in fringe benefits, under wage determination ND20260046 (modification 2). DOL prints no total, so $57.30 is our sum of the two.

Wage determination ND20260046, modification 2, published May 18, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier ENGI0049-086 (October 1, 2025). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.

Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). North Dakota has no state prevailing wage law (DOL state table).

DOL lists 21 operating engineer rates for Ramsey County, from $21.50 to $65.45 an hour. See all of them.

Base wage and fringe benefits: $40.20 + $25.25

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)$40.20
Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized)$25.25
Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total)$65.45

Base wage and fringe benefits: $38.25 + $24.05

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)$38.25
Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized)$24.05
Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total)$62.30

Base wage and fringe benefits: $34.85 + $22.45

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)$34.85
Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized)$22.45
Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total)$57.30

When does this rate change?

Every operating engineer rate in Ramsey County

As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.

  1. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 2 ALL CRANES UP TO 149 TONS, CRANE OPERATOR UP TO 179' OF BOOM OR JIB, ANY COMBINATION ALL TYPES, GENTRY CRANE OPERATOR, OVERHEAD CRANES UP TO 249 TONS, TOWER CRANES UP TO 199' AND ANY JIB CONFIGURATION 159' AND UNDERBuilding · ENGI0049-008$65.45
  2. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR 180' BOOM OR JIB AND OVER ANY COMBINATION, ALL TYPES, CRANE OPERATOR 150 TONS & OVER, OVERHEAD CRANES 250 TONS & OVER, TOWER CRANES 200' AND UP, AN JIB CONFIGURATION 160' AND OVERBuilding · ENGI0049-008$65.45
  3. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 FORKLIFTBuilding · ENGI0049-008$64.85
  4. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1: ALL CRANES 60 TONS AND OVER; CRANES DOING PILING, SHEETING, DRAGLINE/CLAM WORK; DERRICK (GUY & STIFF); GENTRY CRANE OPERATOR, HELICOPTER OPERATOR; MOLE OPERATOR OR TUNNEL MUCKING MACHINE; POWER SHOVEL 3-1/2 CUBIC YARDS AND OVER (MACHINE STANDARD MFG. RATING); TRAVELING TOWER CRANEHighway · ENGI0049-021$62.30
  5. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3: ASPHALT PAVING MACHINE OPERATOR; ASPHALT PLANT OPERATOR; AUTOMATED GRADE TRIMMER; BACKHOE OPERATOR 1 CUBIC YARD UP TO AND INCLUDING 2-1/2 CUBIC YARDS (MACHINE STANDARD MFG. RATING); BOOM TRUCK, HYDRAULIC (8 TONS & OVER); CABLEWAY OPERATOR; CONCRETE BATCH PLANT OPERATOR (ELECTRONIC OR MANUAL); CONCRETE MIXER PAVING MACHINE OPERATOR; CONCRETE PAVER � BRIDGE DECKS; CONCRETE PUMP; CONCRETE SPREADER OPERATOR & BELT PLACER; CRUSHING PLANT OPERATOR; DOZER OPERATOR; DREDGE OPERATOR OR ENGINEER 11'' AND UNDER; DRILL RIGS, HEAVY DUTY ROTARY OR CHUM OR CABLE DRILL; FRONT END LOADER - 3-1/2 CUBIC YARDS UP TO AND INCLUDING 7-1/2 CUBIC YARDS (MACHINE STANDARD MFG. RATING); GRAVEL WASHING & SCREENING PLANT OPERATOR; LAZER-SCREED OPERATOR; LOCOMOTIVE, ALL TYPES; MECHANIC OR WELDER (HEAVY DUTY); MOTOR GRADE OPERATOR; PAVING BREAKER � NON-HYDRO HAMMER TYPE; PIPELINE WRAPPING, CLEANING & BENDING MACHINE OPERATOR; POWER ACTUATED AUGER AND HORIZONTAL BORING MACHINE OPERATOR 6'' AND OVER; REFRIGERATION PLANT ENGINEER; ROTO MILLING MACHINE (SURFACE PLANER) 43'' & OVER; SCRAPER OPERATOR; SLIP FORM CONCRETE PAVING OPERATOR; TANDEM PUSHED QUAD 9 OR SIMILAR; TRACTOR WITH BOOM ATTACHMENT; TRENCHING MACHINE- 100 HP. AND OVERHighway · ENGI0049-021$60.65
  6. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEHeavy · ENGI0049-087$57.70
  7. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEHeavy · ENGI0049-087$57.70
  8. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavy · ENGI0049-087$57.45
  9. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavy · ENGI0049-087$57.45
  10. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (ROLLER)Heavy · ENGI0049-086$57.30
  11. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTHeavy · ENGI0049-087$57.30
  12. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavy · ENGI0049-087$57.30
  13. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTHeavy · ENGI0049-087$57.30
  14. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavy · ENGI0049-087$57.30
  15. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADERHeavy · ENGI0049-087$56.45
  16. POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADERHeavy · ENGI0049-087$56.45
  17. OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEHeavy · SUND2017-009$38.06
  18. OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuilding · SUND2012-016$33.88
  19. OPERATOR: LOADERBuilding · SUND2012-016$33.45
  20. OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuilding · SUND2012-016$26.48
  21. OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERHeavy · SUND2017-009$21.50
Hourly rate of each operating engineer classification in Ramsey County, highest first, split into wage and fringe benefits.
ClassificationBase wageFringe benefitsTotal rateWD
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 FORKLIFTBuildingENGI0049-008$39.60 $25.25 $64.85 ND20260027 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 2 ALL CRANES UP TO 149 TONS, CRANE OPERATOR UP TO 179' OF BOOM OR JIB, ANY COMBINATION ALL TYPES, GENTRY CRANE OPERATOR, OVERHEAD CRANES UP TO 249 TONS, TOWER CRANES UP TO 199' AND ANY JIB CONFIGURATION 159' AND UNDERBuildingENGI0049-008$40.20 $25.25 $65.45 ND20260027 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR 180' BOOM OR JIB AND OVER ANY COMBINATION, ALL TYPES, CRANE OPERATOR 150 TONS & OVER, OVERHEAD CRANES 250 TONS & OVER, TOWER CRANES 200' AND UP, AN JIB CONFIGURATION 160' AND OVERBuildingENGI0049-008$40.20 $25.25 $65.45 ND20260027 Mod 2
OPERATOR: LOADERBuildingSUND2012-016$21.00 $12.45 $33.45 ND20260027 Mod 2
OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingSUND2012-016$21.23 $12.65 $33.88 ND20260027 Mod 2
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUND2012-016$22.48 $4.00 $26.48 ND20260027 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1: ALL CRANES 60 TONS AND OVER; CRANES DOING PILING, SHEETING, DRAGLINE/CLAM WORK; DERRICK (GUY & STIFF); GENTRY CRANE OPERATOR, HELICOPTER OPERATOR; MOLE OPERATOR OR TUNNEL MUCKING MACHINE; POWER SHOVEL 3-1/2 CUBIC YARDS AND OVER (MACHINE STANDARD MFG. RATING); TRAVELING TOWER CRANEHighwayENGI0049-021$38.25 $24.05 $62.30 ND20260001 Mod 5
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3: ASPHALT PAVING MACHINE OPERATOR; ASPHALT PLANT OPERATOR; AUTOMATED GRADE TRIMMER; BACKHOE OPERATOR 1 CUBIC YARD UP TO AND INCLUDING 2-1/2 CUBIC YARDS (MACHINE STANDARD MFG. RATING); BOOM TRUCK, HYDRAULIC (8 TONS & OVER); CABLEWAY OPERATOR; CONCRETE BATCH PLANT OPERATOR (ELECTRONIC OR MANUAL); CONCRETE MIXER PAVING MACHINE OPERATOR; CONCRETE PAVER � BRIDGE DECKS; CONCRETE PUMP; CONCRETE SPREADER OPERATOR & BELT PLACER; CRUSHING PLANT OPERATOR; DOZER OPERATOR; DREDGE OPERATOR OR ENGINEER 11'' AND UNDER; DRILL RIGS, HEAVY DUTY ROTARY OR CHUM OR CABLE DRILL; FRONT END LOADER - 3-1/2 CUBIC YARDS UP TO AND INCLUDING 7-1/2 CUBIC YARDS (MACHINE STANDARD MFG. RATING); GRAVEL WASHING & SCREENING PLANT OPERATOR; LAZER-SCREED OPERATOR; LOCOMOTIVE, ALL TYPES; MECHANIC OR WELDER (HEAVY DUTY); MOTOR GRADE OPERATOR; PAVING BREAKER � NON-HYDRO HAMMER TYPE; PIPELINE WRAPPING, CLEANING & BENDING MACHINE OPERATOR; POWER ACTUATED AUGER AND HORIZONTAL BORING MACHINE OPERATOR 6'' AND OVER; REFRIGERATION PLANT ENGINEER; ROTO MILLING MACHINE (SURFACE PLANER) 43'' & OVER; SCRAPER OPERATOR; SLIP FORM CONCRETE PAVING OPERATOR; TANDEM PUSHED QUAD 9 OR SIMILAR; TRACTOR WITH BOOM ATTACHMENT; TRENCHING MACHINE- 100 HP. AND OVERHighwayENGI0049-021$36.60 $24.05 $60.65 ND20260001 Mod 5
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (ROLLER)HeavyENGI0049-086$34.85 $22.45 $57.30 ND20260046 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADERHeavyENGI0049-087$34.00 $22.45 $56.45 ND20260046 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTHeavyENGI0049-087$34.85 $22.45 $57.30 ND20260046 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEHeavyENGI0049-087$35.25 $22.45 $57.70 ND20260046 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavyENGI0049-087$35.00 $22.45 $57.45 ND20260046 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavyENGI0049-087$34.85 $22.45 $57.30 ND20260046 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADERHeavyENGI0049-087$34.00 $22.45 $56.45 ND20260046 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTHeavyENGI0049-087$34.85 $22.45 $57.30 ND20260046 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEHeavyENGI0049-087$35.25 $22.45 $57.70 ND20260046 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavyENGI0049-087$35.00 $22.45 $57.45 ND20260046 Mod 2
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavyENGI0049-087$34.85 $22.45 $57.30 ND20260046 Mod 2
OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEHeavySUND2017-009$25.44 $12.62 $38.06 ND20260046 Mod 2
OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERHeavySUND2017-009$21.50 $0.00 $21.50 ND20260046 Mod 2

How Ramsey 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 North Dakota

$23.03Ward$65.45Barnes
RamseyNearby: Benson $65.45, Nelson $65.45, Pierce $26.97Each column is a group of counties with about the same main rate; its height is how many. 0 counties pay more than Ramsey, 25 the same, 27 less.

Wage and fringe benefits, nearby

  1. Ramsey Countybase $40.20$65.45
  2. Benson Countybase $40.20$65.45
  3. Nelson Countybase $40.20$65.45
  4. Pierce Countybase $22.97$26.97

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.

CountyClassificationBase wageTotal ratevs Ramsey County
Ramsey CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR 180' BOOM OR JIB AND OVER ANY COMBINATION, ALL TYPES, CRANE OPERATOR 150 TONS & OVER, OVERHEAD CRANES 250 TONS & OVER, TOWER CRANES 200' AND UP, AN JIB CONFIGURATION 160' AND OVER$40.20 $65.45 
Benson CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR 180' BOOM OR JIB AND OVER ANY COMBINATION, ALL TYPES, CRANE OPERATOR 150 TONS & OVER, OVERHEAD CRANES 250 TONS & OVER, TOWER CRANES 200' AND UP, AN JIB CONFIGURATION 160' AND OVER$40.20 $65.45 same
Nelson CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR 180' BOOM OR JIB AND OVER ANY COMBINATION, ALL TYPES, CRANE OPERATOR 150 TONS & OVER, OVERHEAD CRANES 250 TONS & OVER, TOWER CRANES 200' AND UP, AN JIB CONFIGURATION 160' AND OVER$40.20 $65.45 same
Cavalier CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR 180' BOOM OR JIB AND OVER ANY COMBINATION, ALL TYPES, CRANE OPERATOR 150 TONS & OVER, OVERHEAD CRANES 250 TONS & OVER, TOWER CRANES 200' AND UP, AN JIB CONFIGURATION 160' AND OVER$40.20 $65.45 same
Towner CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR 180' BOOM OR JIB AND OVER ANY COMBINATION, ALL TYPES, CRANE OPERATOR 150 TONS & OVER, OVERHEAD CRANES 250 TONS & OVER, TOWER CRANES 200' AND UP, AN JIB CONFIGURATION 160' AND OVER$40.20 $65.45 same
Eddy CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR 180' BOOM OR JIB AND OVER ANY COMBINATION, ALL TYPES, CRANE OPERATOR 150 TONS & OVER, OVERHEAD CRANES 250 TONS & OVER, TOWER CRANES 200' AND UP, AN JIB CONFIGURATION 160' AND OVER$40.20 $65.45 same
Walsh CountyPOWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 CRANE OPERATOR 180' BOOM OR JIB AND OVER ANY COMBINATION, ALL TYPES, CRANE OPERATOR 150 TONS & OVER, OVERHEAD CRANES 250 TONS & OVER, TOWER CRANES 200' AND UP, AN JIB CONFIGURATION 160' AND OVER$40.20 $65.45 same

North Dakota operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map

More from DOL on this rate

All Ramsey County prevailing wage rates

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 ND20260027 Mod 2, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/ND20260027/2

We read every active North Dakota 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 Ramsey County as CSV · Report an error