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South Carolina · Operating Engineer · 3 counties
Operating Engineer prevailing wage, Oconee County group, South Carolina (3 counties)
DOL sets the same operating engineer rates, row for row, in 3 counties: Cherokee, Oconee and Union. Every figure on this page applies in each of them.
$17.93an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$16.17 base wage + $1.76 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUSC2011-013
$7.25an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$7.25 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE · SUSC2017-005
$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 each of these 3 counties, 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 SC20260017 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $17.93 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SC20260017, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUSC2011-013 (August 31, 2011). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted residential construction in each of these 3 counties, 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 SC20260056 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $7.25 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SC20260056, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for residential construction; rate identifier SUSC2017-005 (August 1, 1982). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway construction in each of these 3 counties, 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 each of these 3 counties, 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 28 operating engineer rates for each of these counties, 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 the Oconee 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: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUSC2011-013 | $16.17 | $1.76 | $17.93 | SC20260017 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: BACKHOEResidentialSUSC2017-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260056 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (ROLLER)ResidentialSUSC2017-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260056 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (PAVING MACHINE, SCREED & SPREADER)ResidentialSUSC2017-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260056 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (PAN - SCRAPER)ResidentialSUSC2017-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260056 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (MOTOR GRADER)ResidentialSUSC2017-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260056 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (FRONT END LOADER)ResidentialSUSC2017-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260056 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BULLDOZER)ResidentialSUSC2017-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260056 Mod 1 |
| AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING MECHANICResidentialSUSC2017-005 | $7.25 | $0.00 | $7.25 | SC20260056 Mod 1 |
How the Oconee 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 South Carolina
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Oconee County groupbase $16.17$17.93
- Pickens Countybase $16.19$18.47
- Anderson Countybase $16.05$18.01
- Greenville Countybase $16.68$18.70
Which county is in which operating engineer group
Every South 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.62 | $23.16 |
| Charleston County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.62 | $23.16 |
| Dorchester County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.62 | $23.16 |
| Beaufort County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.14 | $21.76 |
| Saluda County group, 2 localities: Calhoun, Saluda | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 |
| Aiken County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 |
| Darlington County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 |
| Edgefield County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 |
| Fairfield County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 |
| Florence County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 |
| Kershaw County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 |
| Lexington County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 |
| Richland County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 |
| Sumter County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.81 | $19.48 |
| Georgetown County group, 2 localities: Georgetown, Jasper | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.95 | $18.78 |
| Colleton County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.95 | $18.78 |
| Hampton County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.95 | $18.78 |
| Williamsburg County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.95 | $18.78 |
| Greenville County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.68 | $18.70 |
| Laurens County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.19 | $18.47 |
| Pickens County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.19 | $18.47 |
| Allendale County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.39 | $18.22 |
| Bamberg County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.39 | $18.22 |
| Barnwell County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.39 | $18.22 |
| Newberry County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.39 | $18.22 |
| Orangeburg County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.39 | $18.22 |
| Anderson County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.05 | $18.01 |
| Spartanburg County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.05 | $18.01 |
| York County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.05 | $18.01 |
| Marion County group, 4 localities: Dillon, Lee, Marion, Marlboro | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 |
| Oconee County group, 3 localities: Cherokee, Oconee, Union | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 |
| Abbeville County group, 2 localities: Abbeville, McCormick | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 |
| Chester County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 |
| Chesterfield County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 |
| Clarendon County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 |
| Greenwood County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 |
| Lancaster County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.17 | $17.93 |
| Horry County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.04 | $17.29 |
5 groups of counties with identical DOL rates, and 33 counties with rates of their own.
South 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: Cherokee · Oconee · Union
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:
- Cherokee: SC20260017 Mod 1
- Oconee: SC20260017 Mod 1
- Union: SC20260017 Mod 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 every South Carolina rate as CSV · Report an error