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Aiken County, SC · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Aiken County, South Carolina
$19.48an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$16.81 base wage + $2.67 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUSC2011-028
$18.85an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$18.85 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUSC2016-006
$56.35an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$37.00 base wage + $19.35 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (BACKHOE; CENTRAL MIXING PLANT; CONCRETE PLACING MACHINE; CRANE, DERRICK, DRAGLINE; HOIST, 2-DRUM; MOTOR GRADER; SHOVEL; SIDEBOOM TRACTOR; TOWER/PEDESTAL CRANE; HOIST, 1-DRUM (HOISTING PERSONNEL); MECHANIC (DIESEL & GAS); MAXI GRINDER) · SUSC2011-002
$12.50an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$12.50 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUSC2011-045
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Aiken County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $19.48 an hour: a $16.81 base wage plus $2.67 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SC20260032 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $19.48 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SC20260032, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUSC2011-028 (August 31, 2011). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted residential construction in Aiken County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $18.85 an hour: a $18.85 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SC20260063 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $18.85 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SC20260063, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for residential construction; rate identifier SUSC2016-006 (October 18, 2017). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted building, highway and heavy construction in Aiken County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $56.35 an hour: a $37.00 base wage plus $19.35 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SC20260002 (modification 2). DOL prints no total, so $56.35 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SC20260002, modification 2, published September 10, 2026, for building, highway and heavy construction; rate identifier SUSC2011-002 (October 1, 2008). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in Aiken County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $12.50 an hour: a $12.50 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SC20260047 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $12.50 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SC20260047, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier SUSC2011-045 (November 2, 2011). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). South Carolina has no state prevailing wage law (DOL state table).
DOL lists 27 operating engineer rates for Aiken County, from $12.48 to $56.35 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $16.81 + $2.67
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) | $16.81 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $2.67 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $19.48 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $18.85 + $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) | $18.85 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $18.85 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $37.00 + $19.35
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) | $37.00 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $19.35 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $56.35 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $12.50 + $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) | $12.50 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $12.50 |
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 South Carolina change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Aiken County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (BACKHOE; CENTRAL MIXING PLANT; CONCRETE PLACING MACHINE; CRANE, DERRICK, DRAGLINE; HOIST, 2-DRUM; MOTOR GRADER; SHOVEL; SIDEBOOM TRACTOR; TOWER/PEDESTAL CRANE; HOIST, 1-DRUM (HOISTING PERSONNEL); MECHANIC (DIESEL & GAS); MAXI GRINDER)Building, Highway, HeavySUSC2011-002 | $37.00 | $19.35 | $56.35 | SC20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (FIREMAN (BOILER))Building, Highway, HeavySUSC2011-002 | $27.01 | $19.35 | $46.36 | SC20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (MECHANIC (DIESEL & GAS))Building, Highway, HeavySUSC2011-002 | $37.00 | $19.35 | $56.35 | SC20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (OILER)Building, Highway, HeavySUSC2011-002 | $27.01 | $19.35 | $46.36 | SC20260002 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (PUMP (2-1/2 IN. AND OVER); TRACTOR (UNDER 50 HP); FIREPERSON (BOILER); OILER)Building, Highway, HeavySUSC2011-002 | $27.01 | $19.35 | $46.36 | SC20260002 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERBuildingSUSC2011-028 | $14.18 | $1.99 | $16.17 | SC20260032 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuildingSUSC2011-028 | $17.50 | $1.78 | $19.28 | SC20260032 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: CRANEBuildingSUSC2011-028 | $19.39 | $2.02 | $21.41 | SC20260032 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuildingSUSC2011-028 | $17.07 | $2.65 | $19.72 | SC20260032 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUSC2011-028 | $16.81 | $2.67 | $19.48 | SC20260032 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $22.47 | $0.00 | $22.47 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $25.69 | $0.00 | $25.69 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $27.98 | $0.00 | $27.98 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $26.42 | $0.00 | $26.42 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HYDROSEEDERHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $16.26 | $0.00 | $16.26 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END)HighwaySUSC2011-036 | $24.11 | $0.00 | $24.11 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANICHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $22.54 | $0.00 | $22.54 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINEHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $17.50 | $0.00 | $17.50 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: PAVERHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $20.59 | $0.00 | $20.59 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLERHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $20.83 | $0.00 | $20.83 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCRAPERHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $18.79 | $0.00 | $18.79 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCREEDHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $20.05 | $0.00 | $20.05 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: TRACTORHighwaySUSC2011-036 | $19.63 | $0.00 | $19.63 | SC20260038 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERHeavySUSC2011-045 | $10.50 | $1.98 | $12.48 | SC20260047 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEHeavySUSC2011-045 | $20.11 | $1.39 | $21.50 | SC20260047 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavySUSC2011-045 | $12.50 | $0.00 | $12.50 | SC20260047 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEResidentialSUSC2016-006 | $18.85 | $0.00 | $18.85 | SC20260063 Mod 1 |
How Aiken 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 South Carolina
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Aiken Countybase $16.81$19.48
- Barnwell Countybase $16.39$18.22
- Edgefield Countybase $16.81$19.48
- Saluda Countybase $16.81$19.48
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 Aiken County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 | |
| Edgefield County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 | same |
| Saluda County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 | same |
| Lexington County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 | same |
| Barnwell County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.39 | $18.22 | −$1.26 |
| Bamberg County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.39 | $18.22 | −$1.26 |
| Allendale County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.39 | $18.22 | −$1.26 |
South Carolina 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 SC20260032 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/SC20260032/1
We read every active South 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 Aiken County as CSV · Report an error