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Travis County, TX · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Travis County, Texas
$49.86an hour, base + fringe
$39.47 wage + $10.39 fringe benefits · Building · ENGI0450-002
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Travis County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $49.86 an hour: a $39.47 base wage plus $10.39 in fringe benefits, under wage determination TX20260271 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $49.86 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination TX20260271, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier ENGI0450-002 (April 1, 2024). 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 105 operating engineer rates for Travis County, from $7.25 to $49.86 an hour. See all of them.
City of Austin contracts use the Davis-Bacon rates with any base below $22.15 raised to $22.15 (the City's cash floor); those adjusted rates are listed with each trade, marked City of Austin.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $39.47 + $10.39
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) | $39.47 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $10.39 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $49.86 |
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 Texas change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Travis County
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base + fringe | Base | Fringe benefits | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES)BuildingENGI0450-002 | $49.86 | $39.47 | $10.39 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ROLLERBuildingSUTX2014-049 | $11.25 | $11.25 | $0.00 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: PAVER (ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE)BuildingSUTX2014-049 | $16.03 | $16.03 | $0.00 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: MECHANICBuildingSUTX2014-049 | $23.87 | $18.75 | $5.12 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERBuildingSUTX2014-049 | $14.00 | $14.00 | $0.00 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEBuildingSUTX2014-049 | $19.30 | $19.30 | $0.00 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuildingSUTX2014-049 | $22.90 | $16.64 | $6.26 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: DRILLBuildingSUTX2014-049 | $14.50 | $14.50 | $0.00 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuildingSUTX2014-049 | $14.00 | $14.00 | $0.00 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingSUTX2014-049 | $13.00 | $13.00 | $0.00 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUTX2014-049 | $22.92 | $19.43 | $3.49 | TX20260271 Mod 1 |
| SPREADER BOX OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $19.31 | $19.31 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| SCRAPER OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $17.52 | $17.52 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| ROLLER OPERATOR, OTHERHighwaySATX2025-004 | $17.52 | $17.52 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| ROLLER OPERATOR, ASPHALTHighwaySATX2025-004 | $20.24 | $20.24 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| RECLAIMER/PULVERIZER OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $19.05 | $19.05 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| MOTOR GRADER OPERATOR, ROUGHHighwaySATX2025-004 | $22.95 | $22.95 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| MOTOR GRADER OPERATOR, FINE GRADEHighwaySATX2025-004 | $26.56 | $26.56 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| MILLING MACHINE OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $21.73 | $21.73 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| MECHANICHighwaySATX2025-004 | $26.15 | $26.15 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| LOADER/BACKHOE OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $20.32 | $20.32 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| FRONT END LOADER OPERATOR, OVER 3 CYHighwaySATX2025-004 | $20.20 | $20.20 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| FRONT END LOADER OPERATOR, 3 CY OR LESSHighwaySATX2025-004 | $20.33 | $20.33 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| EXCAVATOR OPERATOR, OVER 50,000 POUNDSHighwaySATX2025-004 | $22.90 | $22.90 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| EXCAVATOR OPERATOR, 50,000 POUNDS OR LESSHighwaySATX2025-004 | $22.93 | $22.93 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| DIRECTIONAL DRILLING OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $25.19 | $25.19 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| DIRECTIONAL DRILLING LOCATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $21.39 | $21.39 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| CRAWLER TRACTOR OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $20.92 | $20.92 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| CRANE OPERATOR, LATTICE BOOM OVER 80 TONSHighwaySATX2025-004 | $28.87 | $28.87 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| CRANE OPERATOR, LATTICE BOOM 80 TONS OR LESSHighwaySATX2025-004 | $26.47 | $26.47 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| CRANE OPERATOR, HYDRAULIC 80 TONS OR LESSHighwaySATX2025-004 | $29.24 | $29.24 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| CONCRETE PAVEMENT FINISHING MACHINE OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $22.81 | $22.81 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| BROOM OR SWEEPER OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $18.09 | $18.09 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| ASPHALT PAVING MACHINE OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $22.12 | $22.12 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $24.07 | $24.07 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| AGRICULTURAL TRACTOR OPERATORHighwaySATX2025-004 | $19.14 | $19.14 | $0.00 | TX20260291 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCRAPERHeavySUTX2011-006 | $12.27 | $12.27 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MOTOR GRADER, ROUGHHeavySUTX2011-006 | $14.63 | $14.63 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MOTOR GRADER, FINE GRADEHeavySUTX2011-006 | $18.51 | $18.51 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANICHeavySUTX2011-006 | $17.10 | $17.10 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FRONT END LOADER, 3 CY OR LESSHeavySUTX2011-006 | $13.04 | $13.04 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRAWLER TRACTORHeavySUTX2011-006 | $15.67 | $15.67 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BROOM OR SWEEPERHeavySUTX2011-006 | $11.04 | $11.04 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT DISTRIBUTORHeavySUTX2011-006 | $15.55 | $15.55 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (TRENCHING MACHINE, HEAVY)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $18.48 | $18.48 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (SPREADER BOX)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $14.04 | $14.04 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (ROLLER, OTHER)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $10.50 | $10.50 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (ROLLER, ASPHALT)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $12.78 | $12.78 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (RECLAIMER/PULVERIZER)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $12.88 | $12.88 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (MILLING MACHINE)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $14.18 | $14.18 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (LOADER/BACKHOE)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $14.12 | $14.12 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (FRONT END LOADER, OVER 3 CY)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $13.21 | $13.21 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (EXCAVATOR OVER 50,000 LBS)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $17.71 | $17.71 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (EXCAVATOR 50,000 LBS OR LESS)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $12.88 | $12.88 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (DIRECTIONAL DRILLING OPERATOR)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $17.24 | $17.24 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (DIRECTIONAL DRILLING LOCATOR)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $11.67 | $11.67 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (CRANE, LATTICE BOOM OVER 80 TONS)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $19.38 | $19.38 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (CRANE, LATTICE BOOM 80 TONS OR LESS)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $15.87 | $15.87 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (CRANE, HYDRAULIC 80 TONS OR LESS)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $18.36 | $18.36 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (CONCRETE PAVEMENT FINISHING MACHINE)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $15.48 | $15.48 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (ASPHALT PAVING MACHINE)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $14.36 | $14.36 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (AGRICULTURAL TRACTOR)HeavySUTX2011-006 | $12.69 | $12.69 | $0.00 | TX20260007 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERSResidentialSUTX1983-003 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $0.00 | TX20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (ROLLERS)ResidentialSUTX1983-003 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $0.00 | TX20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (GRADERS)ResidentialSUTX1983-003 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $0.00 | TX20260009 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE)ResidentialSUTX1983-003 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $0.00 | TX20260009 Mod 1 |
| Operator, Backhoe/Excavator/TrackhoeCity of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $25.64 | $22.15 | $3.49 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Operator, Bobcat/Skid Steer/Skid LoaderCity of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Operator, BulldozerCity of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Operator, DrillCity of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Operator, ForkliftCity of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $28.41 | $22.15 | $6.26 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Operator, Grader/BladeCity of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Operator, LoaderCity of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Operator, MechanicCity of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $27.27 | $22.15 | $5.12 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Operator, Paver (Asphalt, Aggregate, and Concrete)City of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Operator, RollerCity of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Power Equipment Operator, CranesCity of Austin: BuildingCity of Austin | $49.86 | $39.47 | $10.39 | COA-00830BC-2026-08-17 |
| Agricultural Tractor OperatorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Asphalt Distributor OperatorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $24.07 | $24.07 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Asphalt Paving Machine OperatorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Boom Truck OperatorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $27.82 | $27.82 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Broom or Sweeper OperatorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Concrete Pavement Finishing Machine OperatorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.81 | $22.81 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Concrete Saw OperatorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $25.97 | $25.97 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Crane, Hydraulic, 80 tons or lessCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $29.24 | $29.24 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Crane, Lattice Boom, 80 tons or lessCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $26.47 | $26.47 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Crane, Lattice Boom, over 80 tonsCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $28.87 | $28.87 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Crawler TractorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Excavator 50,000 lbs. or lessCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.93 | $22.93 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Excavator, over 50,000 lbs.City of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.90 | $22.90 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Foundation Drill Operator, Truck MountedCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $24.28 | $24.28 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Front End Loader Operator, 3CY or lessCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Front End Loader, over 3CYCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Loader/Backhoe OperatorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| MechanicCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $26.15 | $26.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Milling MachineCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Motor Grader Operator - Fine GradeCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $26.56 | $26.56 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Motor Grader Operator, RoughCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.95 | $22.95 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Reclaimer/PulverizerCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Roller Operator, AsphaltCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Roller Operator, OtherCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Scraper OperatorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| ServicerCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $23.75 | $23.75 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Spreader Box OperatorCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
| Trenching Machine Operator, HeavyCity of Austin: Heavy and HighwayCity of Austin | $22.15 | $22.15 | $0.00 | COA-00830HH-2026-08-17 |
How Travis 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
Travis $49.8628156
$11.00Bosque$49.86Atascosa
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Travis Countybase $39.47$49.86
- Hays Countybase $39.47$49.86
- Williamson Countybase $39.47$49.86
- Blanco Countybase $13.75$13.75
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 Travis County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES) | $49.86 | $39.47 | |
| Hays County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES) | $49.86 | $39.47 | same |
| Williamson County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES) | $49.86 | $39.47 | same |
| Bastrop County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES) | $49.86 | $39.47 | same |
| Caldwell County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES) | $49.86 | $39.47 | same |
| Blanco County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $13.75 | $13.75 | −$36.11 |
| Burnet County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $13.75 | $13.75 | −$36.11 |
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 TX20260271 Mod 1, published May 18, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/TX20260271/1
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 Travis County as CSV · Report an error