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Virginia operating engineer prevailing wage, county or city by county or city
An operating engineer's Davis-Bacon prevailing wage in Virginia runs from $11.50 an hour in Wythe County to $58.04 in Appomattox County. The median county or city is $17.11.
Main operating engineer classification in each county or city, Davis-Bacon wage determinations on SAM.gov, as of October 25, 2026. 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)). Checked October 25, 2026.
How much does an operating engineer make on prevailing wage in Virginia?
26 groups of localities with identical rates and 73 with rates of their own, highest main rate first. The top 40 are drawn. The table below lists which localities are in each group.
- Appomattox County1 county or city$58.04
- Buckingham County1 county or city$58.04
- Caroline County1 county or city$58.04
- Fluvanna County1 county or city$58.04
- Gloucester County1 county or city$58.04
- Greene County1 county or city$58.04
- Hampton (independent city)1 county or city$58.04
- Isle of Wight County1 county or city$58.04
- Mathews County1 county or city$58.04
- Nelson County1 county or city$58.04
- Newport News (independent city)1 county or city$58.04
- Norfolk (independent city)1 county or city$58.04
- Portsmouth (independent city)1 county or city$58.04
- Pulaski County1 county or city$58.04
- Suffolk (independent city)1 county or city$58.04
- Sussex County1 county or city$58.04
- Virginia Beach (independent city)1 county or city$58.04
- Fairfax County group3 localities$35.16
- Arlington County group2 localities$34.59
- Prince William County group3 localities$34.32
- Frederick County group2 localities$34.32
- Spotsylvania County group2 localities$34.32
- Clarke County1 county or city$28.00
- Culpeper County1 county or city$28.00
- Fauquier County1 county or city$28.00
- Loudoun County1 county or city$28.00
- Rappahannock County1 county or city$28.00
- Stafford County1 county or city$28.00
- Warren County1 county or city$28.00
- James City County group2 localities$22.04
- York County group2 localities$22.04
- Chesapeake (independent city)1 county or city$22.04
- Chesterfield County group2 localities$21.17
- Henrico County group2 localities$21.17
- Petersburg (independent city) group2 localities$21.17
- Prince George County group2 localities$21.17
- Amelia County1 county or city$21.17
- Charles City County1 county or city$21.17
- Goochland County1 county or city$21.17
- Hanover County1 county or city$21.17
Which localities pay which rate
| Counties and cities | Main classification | Base + fringe | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appomattox County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Buckingham County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Caroline County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Fluvanna County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Gloucester County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Greene County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Hampton (independent city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Isle of Wight County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Mathews County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Nelson County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Newport News (independent city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Norfolk (independent city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Portsmouth (independent city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Pulaski County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Suffolk (independent city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Sussex County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Virginia Beach (independent city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (CRANES UNDER 90 TONS) | $58.04 | $39.99 |
| Fairfax County group, 3 localities: Fairfax, Fairfax (city), Falls Church (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE | $35.16 | $32.52 |
| Arlington County group, 2 localities: Alexandria (city), Arlington | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE | $34.59 | $30.45 |
| Prince William County group, 3 localities: Manassas (city), Manassas Park (city), Prince William | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE | $34.32 | $31.68 |
| Frederick County group, 2 localities: Frederick, Winchester (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE | $34.32 | $31.68 |
| Spotsylvania County group, 2 localities: Fredericksburg (city), Spotsylvania | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CRANE | $34.32 | $31.68 |
| Clarke County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $28.00 | $23.50 |
| Culpeper County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $28.00 | $23.50 |
| Fauquier County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $28.00 | $23.50 |
| Loudoun County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $28.00 | $23.50 |
| Rappahannock County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $28.00 | $23.50 |
| Stafford County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $28.00 | $23.50 |
| Warren County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $28.00 | $23.50 |
| James City County group, 2 localities: James City, Williamsburg (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $22.04 | $20.69 |
| York County group, 2 localities: Poquoson (city), York | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $22.04 | $20.69 |
| Chesapeake (independent city) | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $22.04 | $20.69 |
| Chesterfield County group, 2 localities: Chesterfield, Colonial Heights (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| Henrico County group, 2 localities: Henrico, Richmond (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| Petersburg (independent city) group, 2 localities: Dinwiddie, Petersburg (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| Prince George County group, 2 localities: Hopewell (city), Prince George | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| Amelia County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| Charles City County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| Goochland County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| Hanover County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| King William County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| New Kent County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| Powhatan County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $21.17 | $19.74 |
| Covington (independent city) | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.59 | $19.59 |
| Lexington (independent city) | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $19.59 | $19.59 |
| Augusta County group, 3 localities: Augusta, Staunton (city), Waynesboro (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Roanoke (independent city) group, 3 localities: Roanoke, Roanoke (city), Salem (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Albemarle County group, 2 localities: Albemarle, Charlottesville (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Lynchburg (independent city) group, 2 localities: Campbell, Lynchburg (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Rockingham County group, 2 localities: Harrisonburg (city), Rockingham | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Washington County group, 2 localities: Bristol (city), Washington | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Amherst County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Bedford County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Botetourt County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Craig County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Floyd County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Franklin County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Giles County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Montgomery County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Radford (independent city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Scott County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $17.11 | $16.24 |
| Westmoreland County group, 6 localities: Essex, Lancaster, Middlesex, Northampton, Richmond, Westmoreland | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Accomack County group, 2 localities: Accomack, Northumberland | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Charlotte County group, 2 localities: Charlotte, Emporia (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Pittsylvania County group, 2 localities: Danville (city), Pittsylvania | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Southampton County group, 2 localities: Franklin (city), Southampton | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Brunswick County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Cumberland County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Greensville County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Halifax County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| King and Queen County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| King George County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Lunenburg County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Mecklenburg County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Nottoway County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Prince Edward County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Surry County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $14.11 | $14.11 |
| Grayson County group, 2 localities: Galax (city), Grayson | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Henry County group, 2 localities: Henry, Martinsville (city) | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Rockbridge County group, 2 localities: Buena Vista (city), Rockbridge | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Wise County group, 2 localities: Norton (city), Wise | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Alleghany County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Bath County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Bland County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Buchanan County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Carroll County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Dickenson County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Highland County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Lee County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Louisa County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Madison County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Orange County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Page County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Patrick County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Russell County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Shenandoah County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Smyth County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Tazewell County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
| Wythe County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $11.50 | $11.00 |
26 groups of counties with identical DOL rates, and 73 counties with rates of their own.
Questions about Virginia operating engineer pay
What is the operating engineer prevailing wage in Fairfax County?
$35.16 an hour: a $32.52 base wage plus $2.64 in fringe benefits, under wage determination VA20260178, modification 4. Overtime and every operating engineer classification in Fairfax County.
Does operating engineer prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. In Fairfax County the $35.16 total is a $32.52 base wage plus $2.64 in fringe benefits, about 8% of the total. The employer owes the full amount for every hour worked.
Does operating engineer prevailing wage pay overtime in Virginia?
Davis-Bacon rates are straight time. On contracts over $100,000, the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act requires 1½ times the basic rate for hours over 40 in a workweek (40 U.S.C. 3702). The fringe is owed for every hour at its straight-time amount.
Do apprentice operating engineers get this rate?
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)).
Why do some localities have the same operating engineer rate?
DOL often publishes the same operating engineer rates for several localities. Across Virginia, the 133 localities with an operating engineer rate fall into 99 distinct sets of rates, and 26 of those sets are shared by more than one county or city; the largest covers 6 localities (the Westmoreland County group).