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Brown County, SD · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Brown County, South Dakota
$19.34an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$19.34 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUSD2012-003
$11.53an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$11.53 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADER · SUSD2000-007
$30.16an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$30.16 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 1 - Tractor (farm type with attachments, including loaders but excluding Backhoe); Self Propelled Broom; Concrete Routing Machine; Paver Feeder; Pugmill; Skid Steer · SASD2025-001
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Brown County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $19.34 an hour: a $19.34 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SD20260006 (modification 2). DOL prints no total, so $19.34 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SD20260006, modification 2, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUSD2012-003 (August 21, 2014). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted residential construction in Brown County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $11.53 an hour: a $11.53 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SD20260003 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $11.53 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SD20260003, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for residential construction; rate identifier SUSD2000-007 (September 11, 2000). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway and heavy construction in Brown County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $30.16 an hour: a $30.16 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination SD20260001 (modification 3). DOL prints no total, so $30.16 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination SD20260001, modification 3, published July 30, 2026, for highway and heavy construction; rate identifier SASD2025-001 (December 12, 2024). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage here (federally funded or assisted work). South Dakota has no state prevailing wage law (DOL state table).
DOL lists 10 operating engineer rates for Brown County, from $11.32 to $53.09 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $19.34 + $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) | $19.34 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $19.34 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $11.53 + $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) | $11.53 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $11.53 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $30.16 + $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) | $30.16 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $30.16 |
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 Dakota change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Brown County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ((1) TOWER CRANE): LONG BOOM PAY: 151' TO 200' - $0.50 PER HOUR ADDITIONAL; 201' AND OVER - $0.60 PER HOUR. MEASUREMENT SHALL BE FROM BUTT PINS OF THE BOOM TO THE TOP OF THE SHEAVE OR JIB SHEAVE. TOWER CRANE PREMIUM: FROM THE TOP OF THE TOWER CRANE FOUNDATION TO THE TOP OF THE TOWER CRANE APEX. IN THE CASE OF LUFFING CRANES, TO THE TOP OF GANTRY, PLUS BOOM LENGTH PER CLASSIFICATION: 250' TO 299' - $1.00 300' TO 349 - $1.50 350' TO 399' - $2.00 400' TO 449' - $2.50 450' AND OVER - $3.00Building · ENGI0049-009$53.09
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ((3) HYDRO CRANE; CRANE (ALL OTHER TYPES)) LONG BOOM PAY: 151' TO 200' - $0.50 PER HOUR ADDITIONAL; 201' AND OVER - $0.60 PER HOUR. MEASUREMENT SHALL BE FROM BUTT PINS OF THE BOOM TO THE TOP OF THE SHEAVE OR JIB SHEAVE. TOWER CRANE PREMIUM: FROM THE TOP OF THE TOWER CRANE FOUNDATION TO THE TOP OF THE TOWER CRANE APEX. IN THE CASE OF LUFFING CRANES, TO THE TOP OF GANTRY, PLUS BOOM LENGTH PER CLASSIFICATION: 250' TO 299' - $1.00 300' TO 349 - $1.50 350' TO 399' - $2.00 400' TO 449' - $2.50 450' AND OVER - $3.00Building · ENGI0049-009$52.79
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 4 - Concrete Paving Fnishing Machine; Asphalt Paving Machine Screed; Asphalt Paving Machine; Cranes/Derricks/Draglines/Pile Drivers/Shovels-30 to 50 tons; Backhoes/Excavators-21 to 40 tons; Maintenance Mechanic; Scrapers (wheels or tracks); Concrete Pump TruckHighway, Heavy · SASD2025-001$32.49
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 2 - Concrete Paving Cure Machine; Concrete Paving Joint Sealer; Bull-Dozer 80 HP/less; Front End Loader 1.25 CY /less; Self-Propelled Roller (except Hot Mix); Sheepsfoot/Pneumatic Roller; Pneumatic Tired Tractor or Crawler (includes Water Wagon and Power Spray Units); Wagon Drill (Air Trac Drill); Truck Type Auger; Concrete Paving Saw; Concrete GroovingHighway, Heavy · SASD2025-001$31.73
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 3 - Asphalt Distributor; Bulldozer over 80 HP; Backhoes/Excavators 20 tons or less; crusher (may include internal screening plant); Front End Loader over 1.25 CY; Rough Motor Grader; Self Propelled Hot Mix Roller; Push or Pull Tractor; Off-Highway Haul Trucks; Material Spreader or Palcer; Rumbler Strip Machine; Pavement Marking Grinding EquipmentHighway, Heavy · SASD2025-001$31.56
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 1 - Tractor (farm type with attachments, including loaders but excluding Backhoe); Self Propelled Broom; Concrete Routing Machine; Paver Feeder; Pugmill; Skid SteerHighway, Heavy · SASD2025-001$30.16
- OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuilding · SUSD2012-003$19.34
- OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuilding · SUSD2012-003$16.14
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERResidential · SUSD2000-007$11.53
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE)Residential · SUSD2000-007$11.32
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ((3) HYDRO CRANE; CRANE (ALL OTHER TYPES)) LONG BOOM PAY: 151' TO 200' - $0.50 PER HOUR ADDITIONAL; 201' AND OVER - $0.60 PER HOUR. MEASUREMENT SHALL BE FROM BUTT PINS OF THE BOOM TO THE TOP OF THE SHEAVE OR JIB SHEAVE. TOWER CRANE PREMIUM: FROM THE TOP OF THE TOWER CRANE FOUNDATION TO THE TOP OF THE TOWER CRANE APEX. IN THE CASE OF LUFFING CRANES, TO THE TOP OF GANTRY, PLUS BOOM LENGTH PER CLASSIFICATION: 250' TO 299' - $1.00 300' TO 349 - $1.50 350' TO 399' - $2.00 400' TO 449' - $2.50 450' AND OVER - $3.00BuildingENGI0049-009 | $34.08 | $18.71 | $52.79 | SD20260006 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ((1) TOWER CRANE): LONG BOOM PAY: 151' TO 200' - $0.50 PER HOUR ADDITIONAL; 201' AND OVER - $0.60 PER HOUR. MEASUREMENT SHALL BE FROM BUTT PINS OF THE BOOM TO THE TOP OF THE SHEAVE OR JIB SHEAVE. TOWER CRANE PREMIUM: FROM THE TOP OF THE TOWER CRANE FOUNDATION TO THE TOP OF THE TOWER CRANE APEX. IN THE CASE OF LUFFING CRANES, TO THE TOP OF GANTRY, PLUS BOOM LENGTH PER CLASSIFICATION: 250' TO 299' - $1.00 300' TO 349 - $1.50 350' TO 399' - $2.00 400' TO 449' - $2.50 450' AND OVER - $3.00BuildingENGI0049-009 | $34.38 | $18.71 | $53.09 | SD20260006 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingSUSD2012-003 | $16.14 | $0.00 | $16.14 | SD20260006 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUSD2012-003 | $19.34 | $0.00 | $19.34 | SD20260006 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 1 - Tractor (farm type with attachments, including loaders but excluding Backhoe); Self Propelled Broom; Concrete Routing Machine; Paver Feeder; Pugmill; Skid SteerHighway, HeavySASD2025-001 | $30.16 | $0.00 | $30.16 | SD20260001 Mod 3 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 2 - Concrete Paving Cure Machine; Concrete Paving Joint Sealer; Bull-Dozer 80 HP/less; Front End Loader 1.25 CY /less; Self-Propelled Roller (except Hot Mix); Sheepsfoot/Pneumatic Roller; Pneumatic Tired Tractor or Crawler (includes Water Wagon and Power Spray Units); Wagon Drill (Air Trac Drill); Truck Type Auger; Concrete Paving Saw; Concrete GroovingHighway, HeavySASD2025-001 | $31.73 | $0.00 | $31.73 | SD20260001 Mod 3 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 3 - Asphalt Distributor; Bulldozer over 80 HP; Backhoes/Excavators 20 tons or less; crusher (may include internal screening plant); Front End Loader over 1.25 CY; Rough Motor Grader; Self Propelled Hot Mix Roller; Push or Pull Tractor; Off-Highway Haul Trucks; Material Spreader or Palcer; Rumbler Strip Machine; Pavement Marking Grinding EquipmentHighway, HeavySASD2025-001 | $31.56 | $0.00 | $31.56 | SD20260001 Mod 3 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Group 4 - Concrete Paving Fnishing Machine; Asphalt Paving Machine Screed; Asphalt Paving Machine; Cranes/Derricks/Draglines/Pile Drivers/Shovels-30 to 50 tons; Backhoes/Excavators-21 to 40 tons; Maintenance Mechanic; Scrapers (wheels or tracks); Concrete Pump TruckHighway, HeavySASD2025-001 | $32.49 | $0.00 | $32.49 | SD20260001 Mod 3 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERResidentialSUSD2000-007 | $11.53 | $0.00 | $11.53 | SD20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE)ResidentialSUSD2000-007 | $11.32 | $0.00 | $11.32 | SD20260003 Mod 1 |
How Brown 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 Dakota
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Brown Countybase $19.34$19.34
- Marshall Countybase $19.34$19.34
- Day Countybase $19.34$19.34
- McCook Countybase $17.90$17.90
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 Brown County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.34 | $19.34 | |
| Marshall County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.34 | $19.34 | same |
| Day County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.34 | $19.34 | same |
| McPherson County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.34 | $19.34 | same |
| Edmunds County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.34 | $19.34 | same |
| Spink County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.34 | $19.34 | same |
| Faulk County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.34 | $19.34 | same |
South 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 SD20260006 Mod 2, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/SD20260006/2
We read every active South 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 Brown County as CSV · Report an error