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Ward County, ND · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Ward County, North Dakota
$23.03an hour, base + fringe
$23.03 wage + $0.00 fringe benefits · Building · SUND2012-020
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Ward County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $23.03 an hour: a $23.03 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination ND20260031 (modification 2). DOL prints no total, so $23.03 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination ND20260031, modification 2, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUND2012-020 (August 18, 2014). 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 17 operating engineer rates for Ward County, from $14.38 to $64.85 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $23.03 + $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) | $23.03 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $23.03 |
When this rate changes
- 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 Dakota change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Ward County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (ROLLER)Building · ENGI0049-006$64.85
- 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
- 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
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEHeavy · ENGI0049-080$57.70
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavy · ENGI0049-043$57.45
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLERHeavy · ENGI0049-043$57.30
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTHeavy · ENGI0049-080$57.30
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADERHeavy · ENGI0049-043$56.45
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERHeavy · ENGI0049-043$56.45
- OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavy · SUND2017-006$45.35
- OPERATOR: CRANEBuilding · SUND2012-020$42.65
- OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuilding · SUND2012-020$39.98
- OPERATOR: LOADERBuilding · SUND2012-020$33.45
- OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEHeavy · SUND2017-006$28.00
- OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuilding · SUND2012-020$23.03
- OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuilding · SUND2012-020$21.51
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: LOADERResidential · SUND2000-012$14.38
| Classification | Base + fringe | Base | Fringe benefits | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (ROLLER)BuildingENGI0049-006 | $64.85 | $39.60 | $25.25 | ND20260031 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERBuildingSUND2012-020 | $33.45 | $21.00 | $12.45 | ND20260031 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuildingSUND2012-020 | $39.98 | $26.40 | $13.58 | ND20260031 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: CRANEBuildingSUND2012-020 | $42.65 | $27.00 | $15.65 | ND20260031 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingSUND2012-020 | $21.51 | $21.51 | $0.00 | ND20260031 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUND2012-020 | $23.03 | $23.03 | $0.00 | ND20260031 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 | $62.30 | $38.25 | $24.05 | 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 | $60.65 | $36.60 | $24.05 | ND20260001 Mod 5 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLERHeavyENGI0049-043 | $57.30 | $34.85 | $22.45 | ND20260043 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADERHeavyENGI0049-043 | $56.45 | $34.00 | $22.45 | ND20260043 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavyENGI0049-043 | $57.45 | $35.00 | $22.45 | ND20260043 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERHeavyENGI0049-043 | $56.45 | $34.00 | $22.45 | ND20260043 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTHeavyENGI0049-080 | $57.30 | $34.85 | $22.45 | ND20260043 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEHeavyENGI0049-080 | $57.70 | $35.25 | $22.45 | ND20260043 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEHeavySUND2017-006 | $28.00 | $28.00 | $0.00 | ND20260043 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavySUND2017-006 | $45.35 | $29.92 | $15.43 | ND20260043 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: LOADERResidentialSUND2000-012 | $14.38 | $12.33 | $2.05 | ND20260002 Mod 1 |
How Ward 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
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Ward Countybase $23.03$23.03
- Renville Countybase $22.97$26.97
- Mountrail Countybase $22.97$26.97
- McHenry 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.
| County | Classification | Base + fringe | Base | vs Ward County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renville County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.97 | $22.97 | +$3.94 |
| Mountrail County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.97 | $22.97 | +$3.94 |
| McHenry County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.97 | $22.97 | +$3.94 |
| McLean County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.97 | $22.97 | +$3.94 |
| Bottineau County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.97 | $22.97 | +$3.94 |
| Burke County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $26.97 | $22.97 | +$3.94 |
| Ward County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $23.03 | $23.03 |
North Dakota 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 ND20260031 Mod 2, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/ND20260031/2
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 Ward County as CSV · Report an error