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Augusta County, VA · Operating Engineer
Operating Engineer prevailing wage in Augusta County, Virginia
$17.11an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$16.24 base wage + $0.87 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUVA2013-026
$58.04an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$39.99 base wage + $18.05 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) · ENGI0147-012
$17.99an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$17.99 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
OPERATOR: BULLDOZER, INCLUDING UTILITY · SUVA2016-040
$20.36an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$18.33 base wage + $2.03 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE · SUVA2018-012
Augusta County uses the same operating engineer rates as 2 other localities. See all of them on one page.
On federally funded or assisted building construction in Augusta County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $17.11 an hour: a $16.24 base wage plus $0.87 in fringe benefits, under wage determination VA20260014 (modification 2). DOL prints no total, so $17.11 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination VA20260014, modification 2, published October 15, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUVA2013-026 (January 11, 2016). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted residential construction in Augusta County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $58.04 an hour: a $39.99 base wage plus $18.05 in fringe benefits, under wage determination VA20260149 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $58.04 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination VA20260149, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for residential construction; rate identifier ENGI0147-012 (June 1, 2025). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway construction in Augusta County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $17.99 an hour: a $17.99 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination VA20260104 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $17.99 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination VA20260104, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for highway construction; rate identifier SUVA2016-040 (July 2, 2018). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in Augusta County, an operating engineer must be paid at least $20.36 an hour: a $18.33 base wage plus $2.03 in fringe benefits, under wage determination VA20260207 (modification 3). DOL prints no total, so $20.36 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination VA20260207, modification 3, published October 15, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier SUVA2018-012 (January 5, 2023). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Virginia's prevailing wage for state-funded public works over $250,000, and for localities that adopt it by ordinance, uses these same rates: DOLI's wage determinations "are based on" the Davis-Bacon ones, with no project-specific determinations (Va. Code 2.2-4321.3; DOLI). Only DOLI's official copy sent to the contracting agency counts for official purposes.
DOL lists 35 operating engineer rates for Augusta County, from $14.57 to $59.04 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $16.24 + $0.87
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) | $16.24 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $0.87 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $17.11 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $39.99 + $18.05
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) | $39.99 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $18.05 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $58.04 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $17.99 + $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) | $17.99 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $17.99 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $18.33 + $2.03
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) | $18.33 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $2.03 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $20.36 |
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 Virginia change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in Augusta 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: CRANES 90 TONS & OVER CAPACITY; TOWER & CLIMBING CRANES WITH CONTROLS 100 FT. ABOVE GROUNDBuildingENGI0147-019 | $40.99 | $18.05 | $59.04 | VA20260014 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANES UNDER 90 TONSBuildingENGI0147-019 | $39.99 | $18.05 | $58.04 | VA20260014 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEBuildingSUVA2013-026 | $16.24 | $0.87 | $17.11 | VA20260014 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERBuildingSUVA2013-026 | $18.95 | $4.03 | $22.98 | VA20260014 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERBuildingSUVA2013-026 | $16.00 | $0.00 | $16.00 | VA20260014 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTBuildingSUVA2013-026 | $19.40 | $7.00 | $26.40 | VA20260014 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADERBuildingSUVA2013-026 | $21.28 | $3.17 | $24.45 | VA20260014 Mod 2 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLERBuildingSUVA2013-026 | $16.25 | $4.88 | $21.13 | VA20260014 Mod 2 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZER, INCLUDING UTILITYHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $17.99 | $0.00 | $17.99 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ASPHALT SPREADER AND DISTRIBUTORHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $16.40 | $0.00 | $16.40 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: SCREEDHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $22.13 | $4.89 | $27.02 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: ROLLERHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $15.85 | $0.00 | $15.85 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: PAVER (ASPHALT, AGGREGATE, AND CONCRETE)HighwaySUVA2016-040 | $16.92 | $0.00 | $16.92 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: MILLING MACHINEHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $23.12 | $3.60 | $26.72 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: MECHANICHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $20.60 | $0.00 | $20.60 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $18.39 | $0.00 | $18.39 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: HYDROSEEDERHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $16.64 | $0.00 | $16.64 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADEHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $26.13 | $0.00 | $26.13 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: GRADALLHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $18.65 | $0.00 | $18.65 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: DRILLHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $24.66 | $0.00 | $24.66 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: CRANEHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $25.82 | $0.00 | $25.82 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BROOM/SWEEPERHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $14.32 | $0.25 | $14.57 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $19.16 | $4.45 | $23.61 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHighwaySUVA2016-040 | $20.53 | $0.00 | $20.53 | VA20260104 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANEHeavyENGI0147-026 | $39.99 | $18.05 | $58.04 | VA20260207 Mod 3 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEHeavySUVA2018-012 | $18.33 | $2.03 | $20.36 | VA20260207 Mod 3 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERHeavySUVA2018-012 | $21.37 | $3.83 | $25.20 | VA20260207 Mod 3 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHeavySUVA2018-012 | $24.43 | $8.89 | $33.32 | VA20260207 Mod 3 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADERHeavySUVA2018-012 | $18.62 | $7.07 | $25.69 | VA20260207 Mod 3 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS)ResidentialENGI0147-012 | $39.99 | $18.05 | $58.04 | VA20260149 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES 90 TONS & OVER CAPACITY; TOWER & CLIMBING CRANES WITH CONTROLS 100 FT. ABOVE GROUND)ResidentialENGI0147-012 | $40.99 | $18.05 | $59.04 | VA20260149 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: LOADERResidentialSUVA2012-027 | $17.93 | $2.70 | $20.63 | VA20260149 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BULLDOZERResidentialSUVA2012-027 | $15.29 | $2.27 | $17.56 | VA20260149 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID STEER/SKID LOADERResidentialSUVA2012-027 | $15.26 | $0.80 | $16.06 | VA20260149 Mod 1 |
| OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOEResidentialSUVA2012-027 | $17.36 | $2.25 | $19.61 | VA20260149 Mod 1 |
How Augusta County compares
The main operating engineer rate in every county or city that has one, and how the pay splits here and nearby. All bars use the same scale.
Every county or city in Virginia
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Augusta Countybase $16.24$17.11
- Staunton (independent city)base $16.24$17.11
- Waynesboro (independent city)base $16.24$17.11
- Highland Countybase $11.00$11.50
Operating Engineer rates in nearby localities
Current DOL rates. Davis-Bacon rates are set for groups of counties and cities, so neighbours often share them; the county or city where the work is done decides.
DOL's operating engineer rates for Augusta County are the same as in 2 other localities: Staunton (city), Waynesboro (city).
| County or city | Classification | Base wage | Total rate | vs Augusta County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $39.99 | $58.04 | +$40.93 |
| Augusta County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.24 | $17.11 | |
| Staunton (independent city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.24 | $17.11 | same |
| Waynesboro (independent city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.24 | $17.11 | same |
| Harrisonburg (independent city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.24 | $17.11 | same |
| Rockingham County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $16.24 | $17.11 | same |
| Highland County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.00 | $11.50 | −$5.61 |
Virginia operating engineer prevailing wage by county or city, 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 VA20260014 Mod 2, published October 15, 2026: sam.gov/wage-determination/VA20260014/2
We read every active Virginia 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 Augusta County as CSV · Report an error