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Knox County, TN · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Knox County, Tennessee
$37.52an hour, base + fringe
$27.77 wage + $9.75 fringe benefits · Building · SUTN2017-035
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Knox County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $37.52 an hour: a $27.77 base wage plus $9.75 in fringe benefits, under wage determination TN20260182 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $37.52 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination TN20260182, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUTN2017-035 (April 16, 2021). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Tennessee sets its own rates for state highway work only; elsewhere Davis-Bacon is the only prevailing wage. The Prevailing Wage Commission's 25 statewide highway rates are wages with no fringe, on the state highway rates page (T.C.A. 12-4-401 ff.).
DOL lists 22 operating engineer rates for Knox County, from $13.17 to $49.65 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $27.77 + $9.75
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) | $27.77 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $9.75 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $37.52 |
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 Tennessee change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Knox County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEBuilding · ENGI0917-004$49.65
- OPERATING ENGINEERS: (BULLDOZER AND CRANE)Heavy · ENGI0917-022$46.63
- OPERATING ENGINEERS: (FORKLIFT)Heavy · ENGI0917-022$43.84
- OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuilding · SUTN2017-035$38.27
- OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuilding · SUTN2017-035$37.52
- OPERATOR: DRILLBuilding · SUTN2017-035$31.26
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1A DRILL OPERATOR (CAISSON)Highway · SUTN2016-001$25.26
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 5 CRANE (OVER 20 TONS)Highway · SUTN2016-001$20.44
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 HEAVY DUTY MECHANICHighway · SUTN2016-001$20.33
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 LIGHT DUTY MECHANICHighway · SUTN2016-001$19.53
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 BACKHOE/HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR (3/4 YD & OVER), CRANE (LESS THAN 20 TONS), END LOADER (3 YD & OVER), MOTOR PATROL (FINISH),PILEDRIVER, DRAGLINEHighway · SUTN2016-001$19.14
- OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavy · SUTN2009-128$18.45
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 ASPHALT PAVER, CONCRETE FINISHING MACHINE, CONCRETE PAVER, SCALE, SPREADER (SELF-PROPELLED), CONCRETE GRINDER, ASPHALT MILLING MACHINE, BORING MACHINE (HORIZONTAL)Highway · SUTN2016-001$17.75
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 2 BACKHOE/HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR (LESS THAN 3/4 YD), BULLDOZER OR PUSH DOZER, END LOADER (LESS THAN 3 YD), MOTOR PATROL (ROUGH), TRACTOR (CRAWLER/ UTILITY), TRUCK DRIVER (HEAVY DUTY, OFF ROAD) SCRAPER, SHOVEL, OR TRENCHING MACHINEHighway · SUTN2016-001$17.08
- OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuilding · SUTN2017-035$16.84
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 SWEEPING MACHINE (VACUUM) OPERATORHighway · SUTN2016-001$15.56
- OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuilding · SUTN2017-035$15.00
- OPERATOR: PAVER (ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE)Building · SUTN2017-035$14.70
- OPERATOR: ROLLERBuilding · SUTN2017-035$14.35
- POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1A FARM TRACTOR OPERATOR (POWER BROOM)Highway · SUTN2016-001$13.50
- OPERATOR: LOADERHeavy · SUTN2009-128$13.50
- OPERATOR: BACKHOEResidential · SUTN2009-021$13.17
| Classification | Base + fringe | Base | Fringe benefits | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEBuildingENGI0917-004 | $49.65 | $36.25 | $13.40 | TN20260182 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ROLLERBuildingSUTN2017-035 | $14.35 | $14.35 | $0.00 | TN20260182 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: PAVER (ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE)BuildingSUTN2017-035 | $14.70 | $14.70 | $0.00 | TN20260182 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuildingSUTN2017-035 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $0.00 | TN20260182 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: DRILLBuildingSUTN2017-035 | $31.26 | $26.50 | $4.76 | TN20260182 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuildingSUTN2017-035 | $38.27 | $28.52 | $9.75 | TN20260182 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingSUTN2017-035 | $16.84 | $16.84 | $0.00 | TN20260182 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUTN2017-035 | $37.52 | $27.77 | $9.75 | TN20260182 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 SWEEPING MACHINE (VACUUM) OPERATORHighwaySUTN2016-001 | $15.56 | $15.56 | $0.00 | TN20260147 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 LIGHT DUTY MECHANICHighwaySUTN2016-001 | $19.53 | $19.53 | $0.00 | TN20260147 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 4 HEAVY DUTY MECHANICHighwaySUTN2016-001 | $20.33 | $20.33 | $0.00 | TN20260147 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 3 ASPHALT PAVER, CONCRETE FINISHING MACHINE, CONCRETE PAVER, SCALE, SPREADER (SELF-PROPELLED), CONCRETE GRINDER, ASPHALT MILLING MACHINE, BORING MACHINE (HORIZONTAL)HighwaySUTN2016-001 | $17.75 | $17.75 | $0.00 | TN20260147 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 2 BACKHOE/HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR (LESS THAN 3/4 YD), BULLDOZER OR PUSH DOZER, END LOADER (LESS THAN 3 YD), MOTOR PATROL (ROUGH), TRACTOR (CRAWLER/ UTILITY), TRUCK DRIVER (HEAVY DUTY, OFF ROAD) SCRAPER, SHOVEL, OR TRENCHING MACHINEHighwaySUTN2016-001 | $17.08 | $17.08 | $0.00 | TN20260147 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1A FARM TRACTOR OPERATOR (POWER BROOM)HighwaySUTN2016-001 | $13.50 | $13.50 | $0.00 | TN20260147 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1A DRILL OPERATOR (CAISSON)HighwaySUTN2016-001 | $25.26 | $25.26 | $0.00 | TN20260147 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 1 BACKHOE/HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR (3/4 YD & OVER), CRANE (LESS THAN 20 TONS), END LOADER (3 YD & OVER), MOTOR PATROL (FINISH),PILEDRIVER, DRAGLINEHighwaySUTN2016-001 | $19.14 | $19.14 | $0.00 | TN20260147 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GROUP 5 CRANE (OVER 20 TONS)HighwaySUTN2016-001 | $20.44 | $20.44 | $0.00 | TN20260147 Mod 1 |
| OPERATING ENGINEERS: (FORKLIFT)HeavyENGI0917-022 | $43.84 | $30.44 | $13.40 | TN20260129 Mod 1 |
| OPERATING ENGINEERS: (BULLDOZER AND CRANE)HeavyENGI0917-022 | $46.63 | $33.23 | $13.40 | TN20260129 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERHeavySUTN2009-128 | $13.50 | $13.50 | $0.00 | TN20260129 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavySUTN2009-128 | $18.45 | $18.45 | $0.00 | TN20260129 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOEResidentialSUTN2009-021 | $13.17 | $13.17 | $0.00 | TN20260022 Mod 1 |
How Knox 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 Tennessee
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Knox Countybase $27.77$37.52
- Anderson Countybase $33.23$46.63
- Blount Countybase $27.77$37.52
- Union Countybase $27.77$37.52
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 Knox County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (BACKHOE/TRACKHOE/EXCAVATOR) | $46.63 | $33.23 | +$9.11 |
| Sevier County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (BACKHOE/TRACKHOE/EXCAVATOR) | $46.63 | $33.23 | +$9.11 |
| Knox County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $37.52 | $27.77 | |
| Blount County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $37.52 | $27.77 | same |
| Union County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $37.52 | $27.77 | same |
| Loudon County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $37.52 | $27.77 | same |
| Jefferson County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $21.17 | −$16.35 |
Tennessee 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 TN20260182 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/TN20260182/1
We read every active Tennessee 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 Knox County as CSV · Report an error