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Dallas County, TX · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Dallas County, Texas
$13.06an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$13.06 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUTX2014-017
$11.25an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$11.25 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GRADER · SUTX1992-005
$23.59an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$23.59 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
SPREADER BOX OPERATOR · SATX2025-007
$45.70an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$32.60 base wage + $13.10 fringe benefits
CRANES: (HYDRAULIC OVER 35 TONS,DERRICKS, OVERHEAD GENTRY,STIFFLEG,TOWER,ETC., AND CRANES WITH PILEDRIVING OR CAISSON ATTACHEMENTS) · ENGI0178-001
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Dallas County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $13.06 an hour: a $13.06 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination TX20260241 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $13.06 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination TX20260241, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUTX2014-017 (July 21, 2014). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted residential construction in Dallas County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $11.25 an hour: a $11.25 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination TX20260014 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $11.25 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination TX20260014, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for residential construction; rate identifier SUTX1992-005 (May 14, 1992). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway construction in Dallas County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $23.59 an hour: a $23.59 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination TX20260294 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $23.59 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination TX20260294, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for highway construction; rate identifier SATX2025-007 (November 15, 2023). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in Dallas County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $45.70 an hour: a $32.60 base wage plus $13.10 in fringe benefits, under wage determination TX20260017 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $45.70 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination TX20260017, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier ENGI0178-001 (June 1, 2020). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Texas public bodies set their own rates, often the Davis-Bacon ones; check the bid documents. Under Gov't Code 2258.022 each body either surveys local wages or adopts the Davis-Bacon rates, and no state agency publishes a schedule.
DOL lists 51 operating engineer rates for Dallas County, from $8.00 to $45.95 an hour. See all of them.
City of Dallas contracts pay the greater of the Davis-Bacon rate (with fringes) and the City's living wage, $23.06 an hour for solicitations from October 1, 2025.
- This base is below $13.65, the Executive Order 13658 minimum. Contracts that order covers must pay at least that (see the WD's note).
Base wage and fringe benefits: $13.06 + $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) | $13.06 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $13.06 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $11.25 + $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) | $11.25 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $11.25 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $23.59 + $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) | $23.59 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $23.59 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $32.60 + $13.10
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) | $32.60 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $13.10 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $45.70 |
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 Texas change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Dallas 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 ((3) HYDRAULIC CRANES 59 TONS AND UNDER)BuildingENGI0178-005 | $32.35 | $13.10 | $45.45 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ((1) TOWER CRANE)BuildingENGI0178-005 | $32.85 | $13.10 | $45.95 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ROLLERBuildingSUTX2014-017 | $15.04 | $0.00 | $15.04 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: PAVER (ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE)BuildingSUTX2014-017 | $18.44 | $0.00 | $18.44 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: MECHANICBuildingSUTX2014-017 | $17.52 | $3.33 | $20.85 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERBuildingSUTX2014-017 | $14.02 | $1.82 | $15.84 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuildingSUTX2014-017 | $13.05 | $0.00 | $13.05 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuildingSUTX2014-017 | $13.38 | $0.81 | $14.19 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: DRILLBuildingSUTX2014-017 | $13.00 | $0.50 | $13.50 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuildingSUTX2014-017 | $18.29 | $1.31 | $19.60 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingSUTX2014-017 | $13.93 | $0.00 | $13.93 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUTX2014-017 | $13.06 | $0.00 | $13.06 | TX20260241 Mod 1 |
| SPREADER BOX OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $23.59 | $0.00 | $23.59 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| SMALL SLIPFORM MACHINE OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $25.09 | $0.00 | $25.09 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| SCRAPER OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $21.54 | $0.00 | $21.54 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| ROLLER OPERATOR, OTHERHighwaySATX2025-007 | $18.60 | $0.00 | $18.60 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| ROLLER OPERATOR, ASPHALTHighwaySATX2025-007 | $20.35 | $0.00 | $20.35 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| RECLAIMER/PULVERIZER OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $22.17 | $0.00 | $22.17 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| MOTOR GRADER OPERATOR, ROUGHHighwaySATX2025-007 | $24.90 | $0.00 | $24.90 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| MOTOR GRADER OPERATOR, FINE GRADEHighwaySATX2025-007 | $27.09 | $0.00 | $27.09 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| MILLING MACHINE OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $20.94 | $0.00 | $20.94 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| MECHANICHighwaySATX2025-007 | $27.44 | $0.00 | $27.44 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| LOADER/BACKHOE OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $23.22 | $0.00 | $23.22 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| FRONT END LOADER OPERATOR, OVER 3 CYHighwaySATX2025-007 | $22.56 | $0.00 | $22.56 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| FRONT END LOADER OPERATOR, 3 CY OR LESSHighwaySATX2025-007 | $20.93 | $0.00 | $20.93 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| FOUNDATION DRILL OPERATOR, CRAWLER MOUNTEDHighwaySATX2025-007 | $29.25 | $0.00 | $29.25 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| EXCAVATOR OPERATOR, OVER 50,000 POUNDSHighwaySATX2025-007 | $25.34 | $0.00 | $25.34 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| EXCAVATOR OPERATOR, 50,000 POUNDS OR LESSHighwaySATX2025-007 | $25.08 | $0.00 | $25.08 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| CRAWLER TRACTOR OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $24.06 | $0.00 | $24.06 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| CRANE OPERATOR, LATTICE BOOM OVER 80 TONSHighwaySATX2025-007 | $33.55 | $0.00 | $33.55 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| CRANE OPERATOR, LATTICE BOOM 80 TONS OR LESSHighwaySATX2025-007 | $29.90 | $0.00 | $29.90 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| CRANE OPERATOR, HYDRAULIC 80 TONS OR LESSHighwaySATX2025-007 | $31.32 | $0.00 | $31.32 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| CONCRETE PAVEMENT FINISHING MACHINE OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $24.07 | $0.00 | $24.07 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| BROOM OR SWEEPER OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $18.01 | $0.00 | $18.01 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| ASPHALT PAVING MACHINE OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $22.52 | $0.00 | $22.52 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-007 | $24.40 | $0.00 | $24.40 | TX20260294 Mod 1 |
| CRANES: (HYDRAULIC OVER 35 TONS,DERRICKS, OVERHEAD GENTRY,STIFFLEG,TOWER,ETC., AND CRANES WITH PILEDRIVING OR CAISSON ATTACHEMENTS)HeavyENGI0178-001 | $32.60 | $13.10 | $45.70 | TX20260017 Mod 1 |
| CRANES: (HYDRAULIC CRANE (35 TON & UNDER))HeavyENGI0178-001 | $32.35 | $13.10 | $45.45 | TX20260017 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: SCRAPERHeavySUTX1990-040 | $8.00 | $0.00 | $8.00 | TX20260017 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: OILERHeavySUTX1990-040 | $9.18 | $0.00 | $9.18 | TX20260017 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADERHeavySUTX1990-040 | $11.63 | $0.00 | $11.63 | TX20260017 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MECHANICHeavySUTX1990-040 | $9.88 | $0.00 | $9.88 | TX20260017 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERHeavySUTX1990-040 | $10.77 | $0.00 | $10.77 | TX20260017 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERHeavySUTX1990-040 | $9.94 | $0.00 | $9.94 | TX20260017 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE)HeavySUTX1990-040 | $10.97 | $0.00 | $10.97 | TX20260017 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: GRADERResidentialSUTX1992-005 | $11.25 | $0.00 | $11.25 | TX20260014 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERResidentialSUTX1992-005 | $12.42 | $0.00 | $12.42 | TX20260014 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERResidentialSUTX1992-005 | $11.61 | $0.00 | $11.61 | TX20260014 Mod 1 |
| Crane OperatorTexas A&M System: BuildingTexas A&M System | incl. | incl. | $31.32 | TAMUS-2024-10-14-dallas |
| Equipment Operator - LightTexas A&M System: BuildingTexas A&M System | incl. | incl. | $16.20 | TAMUS-2024-10-14-dallas |
| Equipment Operator - HeavyTexas A&M System: BuildingTexas A&M System | incl. | incl. | $17.02 | TAMUS-2024-10-14-dallas |
How Dallas 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 Texas
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Dallas Countybase $13.06$13.06
- Rockwall Countybase $12.83$12.83
- Ellis Countybase $12.83$12.83
- Kaufman Countybase $12.83$12.83
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 Dallas County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $13.09 | $13.09 | +$0.03 |
| Dallas County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $13.06 | $13.06 | |
| Rockwall County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $12.83 | $12.83 | −$0.23 |
| Ellis County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $12.83 | $12.83 | −$0.23 |
| Kaufman County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $12.83 | $12.83 | −$0.23 |
| Collin County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $12.83 | $12.83 | −$0.23 |
| Denton County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $12.83 | $12.83 | −$0.23 |
Texas 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 TX20260241 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/TX20260241/1
We read every active Texas 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. The Texas A&M University System, City of Houston and City of Austin rows are copied from those bodies' own schedules, with their source on each row. How we check · Download Dallas County as CSV · Report an error