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Chester County, SC · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Chester County, South Carolina
$17.93an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$16.17 base wage + $1.76 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUSC2011-005
$7.25an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$7.25 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE · SUSC2017-001
$24.02an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$24.02 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (ABBEVILLE, CHEROKEE, CHESTER, GREENWOOD, LANCASTER, MCCORMICK, OCONEE, UNION) · SUSC2011-037
$7.25an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$7.25 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADER · SUSC1990-005
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Chester County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $17.93 an hour: a $16.17 base wage plus $1.76 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SC20260009 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $17.93 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SC20260009, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUSC2011-005 (August 31, 2011). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted residential construction in Chester County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $7.25 an hour: a $7.25 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SC20260052 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $7.25 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SC20260052, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for residential construction; rate identifier SUSC2017-001 (February 1, 1980). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway construction in Chester County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $24.02 an hour: a $24.02 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SC20260039 (modification 2). DOL prints no total, so $24.02 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SC20260039, modification 2, published October 22, 2026, for highway construction; rate identifier SUSC2011-037 (September 15, 2011). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in Chester County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $7.25 an hour: a $7.25 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SC20260001 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $7.25 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SC20260001, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier SUSC1990-005 (February 8, 1990). 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 24 operating engineer rates for Chester County, from $7.25 to $29.74 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $16.17 + $1.76
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) | $16.17 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $1.76 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $17.93 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $7.25 + $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) | $7.25 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $7.25 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $24.02 + $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) | $24.02 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $24.02 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $7.25 + $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) | $7.25 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $7.25 |
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 Chester County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEHighway · SUSC2011-037$29.74
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANICHighway · SUSC2011-037$26.93
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHighway · SUSC2011-037$25.22
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (ABBEVILLE, CHEROKEE, CHESTER, GREENWOOD, LANCASTER, MCCORMICK, OCONEE, UNION)Highway · SUSC2011-037$24.02
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADE (ABBEVILLE, CHEROKEE, CHESTER, GREENWOOD, LANCASTER, MCCORMICK, OCONEE, UNION)Highway · SUSC2011-037$23.95
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END)Highway · SUSC2011-037$22.93
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINEHighway · SUSC2011-037$22.93
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: PAVER (ABBEVILLE, CHEROKEE, CHESTER, GREENWOOD, LANCASTER, MCCORMICK, OCONEE, UNION)Highway · SUSC2011-037$21.55
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: TRACTORHighway · SUSC2011-037$19.60
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCREEDHighway · SUSC2011-037$18.40
- OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuilding · SUSC2011-005$17.93
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLER (ABBEVILLE, CHEROKEE, CHESTER, GREENWOOD, LANCASTER, MCCORMICK, OCONEE, UNION)Highway · SUSC2011-037$16.59
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: CRANEHeavy · SUSC1990-005$7.98
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADERHeavy · SUSC1990-005$7.25
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MECHANICHeavy · SUSC1990-005$7.25
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERHeavy · SUSC1990-005$7.25
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: DRAGLINEHeavy · SUSC1990-005$7.25
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERHeavy · SUSC1990-005$7.25
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (PAN SCRAPER)Heavy · SUSC1990-005$7.25
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE)Heavy · SUSC1990-005$7.25
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOEResidential · SUSC2017-001$7.25
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (GRADER)Residential · SUSC2017-001$7.25
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (FRONT END LOADER)Residential · SUSC2017-001$7.25
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BULLDOZER)Residential · SUSC2017-001$7.25
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUSC2011-005 | $16.17 | $1.76 | $17.93 | SC20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE (ABBEVILLE, CHEROKEE, CHESTER, GREENWOOD, LANCASTER, MCCORMICK, OCONEE, UNION)HighwaySUSC2011-037 | $24.02 | $0.00 | $24.02 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHighwaySUSC2011-037 | $20.19 | $5.03 | $25.22 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEHighwaySUSC2011-037 | $29.74 | $0.00 | $29.74 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADE (ABBEVILLE, CHEROKEE, CHESTER, GREENWOOD, LANCASTER, MCCORMICK, OCONEE, UNION)HighwaySUSC2011-037 | $23.95 | $0.00 | $23.95 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END)HighwaySUSC2011-037 | $22.93 | $0.00 | $22.93 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANICHighwaySUSC2011-037 | $26.93 | $0.00 | $26.93 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINEHighwaySUSC2011-037 | $22.93 | $0.00 | $22.93 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: PAVER (ABBEVILLE, CHEROKEE, CHESTER, GREENWOOD, LANCASTER, MCCORMICK, OCONEE, UNION)HighwaySUSC2011-037 | $21.55 | $0.00 | $21.55 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLER (ABBEVILLE, CHEROKEE, CHESTER, GREENWOOD, LANCASTER, MCCORMICK, OCONEE, UNION)HighwaySUSC2011-037 | $16.59 | $0.00 | $16.59 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCREEDHighwaySUSC2011-037 | $18.40 | $0.00 | $18.40 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: TRACTORHighwaySUSC2011-037 | $19.60 | $0.00 | $19.60 | SC20260039 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADERHeavySUSC1990-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260001 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MECHANICHeavySUSC1990-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260001 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERHeavySUSC1990-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260001 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: DRAGLINEHeavySUSC1990-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260001 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: CRANEHeavySUSC1990-005 | $7.98 | $0.00 | $7.98 | SC20260001 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERHeavySUSC1990-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260001 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (PAN SCRAPER)HeavySUSC1990-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260001 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE)HeavySUSC1990-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260001 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOEResidentialSUSC2017-001 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260052 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (GRADER)ResidentialSUSC2017-001 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260052 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (FRONT END LOADER)ResidentialSUSC2017-001 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260052 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BULLDOZER)ResidentialSUSC2017-001 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260052 Mod 1 |
How Chester 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
- Chester Countybase $16.17$17.93
- York Countybase $16.05$18.01
- Fairfield Countybase $16.81$19.48
- Lancaster Countybase $16.17$17.93
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 Chester County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 | +$1.55 |
| Newberry County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.39 | $18.22 | +$0.29 |
| York County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.05 | $18.01 | +$0.08 |
| Chester County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 | |
| Lancaster County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 | same |
| Union County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 | same |
| Cherokee County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 | same |
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 SC20260009 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/SC20260009/1
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 Chester County as CSV · Report an error