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Operating Engineer prevailing wage, Spokane County group, Washington (8 counties)
L&I sets the same operating engineer rates, row for row, in 8 counties: Asotin, Benton, Franklin, Garfield, Lincoln, Spokane, Walla Walla and Whitman. Every figure on this page applies in each of them.
$68.01an hour, total
$42.59 wage + $25.42 fringe benefits
On Washington public works in each of these 8 counties, an operating engineer must be paid at least $68.01 an hour in total: $42.59 in wages plus $25.42 in fringe benefits for health, pension, vacation, training and other plans. L&I's rate took effect September 2, 2026.
L&I published this rate on August 3, 2026 and it took effect September 2, 2026. Checked against L&I's wage lookup on October 24, 2026.
L&I lists 207 commercial operating engineer rates for each of these counties, from $66.39 to $72.52 an hour. See all of them.
Base wage and fringe: $42.59 + $25.42
The wage is the taxable hourly rate. The other lines are what Washington law calls "usual benefits": contributions to health, pension, vacation and holiday, apprenticeship and similar plans. A contractor that doesn't provide a benefit pays its value as wages instead (RCW 39.12.010).
| Base wage (taxable) | $42.59 |
| Health and welfare | $9.85 |
| Pension | $13.55 |
| Vacation and holiday | $1.07 |
| Training | $0.95 |
| Total straight-time hourly rate | $68.01 |
Set from: collective bargaining agreement, 2025-2028 Agreement Between District 5 Heavy & Highway Contractors and Operating Engineers Local 302. Where a county has a collective bargaining agreement, L&I adopts its wage and benefits; with more than one, the higher rate prevails. Otherwise L&I uses wage surveys (RCW 39.12.015).
Davis-Bacon operating engineer rates in these counties
The counties share L&I's rates, but not always the same federal wage determination. When a contract requires both the state rate and the Davis-Bacon rate, paying the higher of the two meets both. The contract documents say which apply.
| County | Federal classification | Base + fringe | WD | vs L&I |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asotin County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Benton County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Franklin County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Garfield County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Lincoln County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Spokane County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Walla Walla County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
| Whitman County | Federal rates listed on the county page; no one-to-one match | |||
Holidays
L&I holiday code 7Z:
Holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day (9). Any holiday which falls on a Saturday shall be observed as a holiday on the preceding Friday. Any holiday which falls on a Sunday shall be observed as a holiday on the following Monday.
When this rate changes
- Rates lock at the bid date. A project uses “the rates that are in effect on the date when bids by prime contractors are due”, and they stay for the life of the contract. If the contract isn't awarded within six months of the bid date, the award-date rates apply. Contracts without bids use the date they're signed (WAC 296-127-011).
- L&I publishes on the first business day of February and August, and rates take effect 30 days later. Corrections can be published at any time and also take effect 30 days later (WAC 296-127-011(1); L&I publications and corrections). L&I's next set is due February 1, 2027, effective March 3, 2027.
- L&I doesn't republish every rate each period. A rate stays until L&I changes it, so each one has its own date. This one was published August 3, 2026 and took effect September 2, 2026.
Every operating engineer rate in the Spokane County group
As L&I lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Total | Base | Fringes | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt plant Operators | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Assistant Engineer | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Barrier machine: (Zipper) | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Batch Plant Operator: concrete | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Bobcat | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Brokk: Remote demolition equipment | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Brooms | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Bump cutter | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cableways | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Chipper | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Compressor | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Concrete Finish Machine: Laser Screed | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Concrete Pump: Mounted or trailer high pressure line pump, pump high pressure | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Concrete Pump: Truck mount with boom attachment over 42M | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Concrete pump: truck mount with boom attachment up to 42M | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Conveyors | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes Friction: 200 tons and over | $72.52 | $46.99 | $25.53 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes, A-frame: 10 tons and under | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: 100 tons through 199 tons, or 150' of boom (including jib with attachments) | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: 20 tons through 44 tons with attachments | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: 200 tons- 299 tons, or 250' of boom including jib with attachments | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: 300 tons and over or 300' of boom including jib with attachments | $72.52 | $46.99 | $25.53 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: 45 tons through 99 tons, under 150' of boom (including jib with attachments) | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: Friction cranes through 199 tons | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: through 19 tons with attachments, A-frame over 10 tons | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Crusher | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Deck engineer/deck winches (power) | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Derricks: on building work | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Dozers: D-9 & under | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Drill Oilers: auger type, truck or crane mount | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Drilling Machine | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Elevator and man-lift: permanent and shaft type | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Finishing Machine: Bidwell and Gamaco & similar equipment | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Forklift: 3000 lbs and over with attachments | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Forklifts: under 3000 lbs. with attachments | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Grade Engineer: using blue prints, cut sheets, etc. | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Gradechecker/Stakeman | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Guardrail punch | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Hard tail end dump: articulating off-road equipment 45 yards & over | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Hard tail end dump: articulating off-road equipment under 45 yards | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Helper, Mechanic or Welder, H.D. | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Horizontal/directional drill locator | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Horizontal/directional drill operator | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Hydralifts/boom trucks: 10 tons and under | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Hydralifts/boom trucks: over 10 tons | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Leverman | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Loader: Overhead 6 yards but not including 8 yards | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Loader: Overhead 8 yards & over | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Loaders: elevating type belt | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Loaders: Overhead under 6 yards | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Loaders: Plant feed | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Locomotives: all | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Material Transfer Device | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Mechanics: all (Leadmen - $0.50 per hour over mechanic) | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Motor patrol graders | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Mucking machine, mole, tunnel drill, boring, road header and/or shield | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Oil distributors, blower distribution & mulch seeding operator | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Outside Hoists (elevators and manlifts), Air Tuggers, Strato | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Overhead, bridge type Crane: 20 tons through 44 tons | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Overhead, bridge type: 100 tons and over | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Overhead, bridge type: 45 tons through 99 tons | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Pavement breaker | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Piledriver: (other than crane mount) | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Plant oiler: asphalt, crusher | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Posthole digger: mechanical | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Power plant | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Pumps: water | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Quad 9, HD 41, D10 and over | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Quick Tower: no cab, under 100 feet in height base to boom | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Remote control operator on rubber tired earth moving equipment | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Rigger and Bellman | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Rigger/Signal Person, Bellman (Certified) | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Rollagon | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Roller: other than plant mix | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Roller: plant mix or multi-lift materials | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Roto-mill, roto-grinder | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Saws: concrete | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Scraper: self propelled under 45 yards | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Scrapers, self-propelled: 45 yards and over | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Scrapers: concrete & carry all | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Service Engineers: equipment | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shotcrete/gunite equipment | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shovel, excavator, backhoe, tractor: 15 to 30 metric tons | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shovel, excavator, backhoe, tractors: under 15 metric tons | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shovel, excavator, backhoe: over 30 metric tons and up to 50 metric tons | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shovel, excavator, backhoes: over 50 metric tons and up to 90 metric tons | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shovel, excavator, backhoes: over 90 metric tons | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Slipform pavers | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Spreader: Topsider & Screedman | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Subgrader trimmer | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Tower Bucket Elevators | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Tower Crane: over 175' through 250' in height, base to boom | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Tower crane: up to 175' in height base to boom | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Tower Cranes: over 250' in height from base to boom | $72.52 | $46.99 | $25.53 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Transporters: all track or truck type | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Trenching machines | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Truck Crane Oiler/Driver: 100 tons and over | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Truck crane oiler/driver: under 100 tons | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Truck mount portable conveyor | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Vac Truck (Vactor Guzzler, Hydro Excavator) | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Welder | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Wheel tractors: Farm all type | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Yo Yo pay dozer | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Asphalt plant Operators | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Assistant Engineer | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Barrier machine: (Zipper) | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Batch Plant Operator: concrete | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Bobcat | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Brokk: Remote demolition equipment | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Brooms | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Bump cutter | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cableways | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Chipper | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Compressor | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Concrete Finish Machine: Laser Screed | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Concrete Pump: Mounted or trailer high pressure line pump, pump high pressure | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Concrete Pump: Truck mount with boom attachment over 42M | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Concrete pump: truck mount with boom attachment up to 42M | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Conveyors | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes Friction: 200 tons and over | $72.52 | $46.99 | $25.53 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes, A-frame: 10 tons and under | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: 100 tons through 199 tons, or 150' of boom (including jib with attachments) | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: 20 tons through 44 tons with attachments | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: 200 tons- 299 tons, or 250' of boom including jib with attachments | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: 300 tons and over or 300' of boom including jib with attachments | $72.52 | $46.99 | $25.53 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: 45 tons through 99 tons, under 150' of boom (including jib with attachments) | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: Friction cranes through 199 tons | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Cranes: through 19 tons with attachments, A-frame over 10 tons | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Crusher | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Deck engineer/deck winches (power) | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Derricks: on building work | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Dozers: D-9 & under | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Drill Oilers: auger type, truck or crane mount | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Drilling Machine | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Elevator and man-lift: permanent and shaft type | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Finishing Machine: Bidwell and Gamaco & similar equipment | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Forklift: 3000 lbs and over with attachments | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Forklifts: under 3000 lbs. with attachments | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Grade Engineer: using blue prints, cut sheets, etc. | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Gradechecker/Stakeman | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Guardrail punch | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Hard tail end dump: articulating off-road equipment 45 yards & over | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Hard tail end dump: articulating off-road equipment under 45 yards | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Helper, Mechanic or Welder, H.D. | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Horizontal/directional drill locator | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Horizontal/directional drill operator | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Hydralifts/boom trucks: 10 tons and under | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Hydralifts/boom trucks: over 10 tons | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Leverman | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Loader: Overhead 6 yards but not including 8 yards | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Loader: Overhead 8 yards & over | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Loaders: elevating type belt | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Loaders: Overhead under 6 yards | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Loaders: Plant feed | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Locomotives: all | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Material Transfer Device | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Mechanics: all (Leadmen - $0.50 per hour over mechanic) | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Motor patrol graders | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Mucking machine, mole, tunnel drill, boring, road header and/or shield | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Oil distributors, blower distribution & mulch seeding operator | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Outside Hoists (elevators and manlifts), Air Tuggers, Strato | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Overhead, bridge type Crane: 20 tons through 44 tons | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Overhead, bridge type: 100 tons and over | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Overhead, bridge type: 45 tons through 99 tons | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Pavement breaker | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Piledriver: (other than crane mount) | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Plant oiler: asphalt, crusher | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Posthole digger: mechanical | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Power plant | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Pumps: water | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Quad 9, HD 41, D10 and over | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Quick Tower: no cab, under 100 feet in height base to boom | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Remote control operator on rubber tired earth moving equipment | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Rigger and Bellman | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Rigger/Signal Person, Bellman (Certified) | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Rollagon | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Roller: other than plant mix | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Roller: plant mix or multi-lift materials | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Roto-mill, roto-grinder | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Saws: concrete | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Scraper: self propelled under 45 yards | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Scrapers, self-propelled: 45 yards and over | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Scrapers: concrete & carry all | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Service Engineers: equipment | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shotcrete/gunite equipment | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shovel, excavator, backhoe, tractor: 15 to 30 metric tons | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shovel, excavator, backhoe, tractors: under 15 metric tons | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shovel, excavator, backhoe: over 30 metric tons and up to 50 metric tons | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shovel, excavator, backhoes: over 50 metric tons and up to 90 metric tons | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Shovel, excavator, backhoes: over 90 metric tons | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Slipform pavers | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Spreader: Topsider & Screedman | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Subgrader trimmer | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Tower Bucket Elevators | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Tower Crane: over 175' through 250' in height, base to boomListed twice by L&I | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Tower Crane: over 175' through 250' in height, base to boomListed twice by L&I | $71.57 | $46.06 | $25.51 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Tower crane: up to 175' in height base to boom | $70.50 | $45.02 | $25.48 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Tower Cranes: over 250' in height from base to boom | $72.52 | $46.99 | $25.53 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Transporters: all track or truck type | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Trenching machines | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Truck Crane Oiler/Driver: 100 tons and over | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Truck crane oiler/driver: under 100 tons | $67.64 | $42.23 | $25.41 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Truck mount portable conveyor | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Vac Truck (Vactor Guzzler, Hydro Excavator) | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Welder | $68.37 | $42.94 | $25.43 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Wheel tractors: Farm all type | $66.39 | $41.01 | $25.38 | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Yo Yo pay dozer | $68.01 | $42.59 | $25.42 | Sep 2, 2026 |
“Listed twice by L&I”: L&I publishes two rows with the same name and different record numbers. Both are shown; ask L&I which applies.
How the Spokane County group compares
The main operating engineer rate in every county that has one, and how the pay splits here and in the nearest counties. All bars use the same scale.
Every county in Washington
Spokane $68.0165132
$68.01Asotin$96.99King
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Spokane County groupbase $42.59$68.01
- Lincoln Countybase $42.59$68.01
- Whitman Countybase $42.59$68.01
- Stevens Countybase $45.59$71.08
Which county is in which operating engineer group
Every Washington county with a operating engineer rate. Counties L&I treats alike share one page; the rest have their own. You pay the rate for the county where the work is done.
| Counties | Main classification | Total | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| King County group, 2 counties: King, Snohomish | Shovel, Excavator, Backhoes, Tractors: 15 To 30 Metric Tons | $96.99 | $66.75 |
| Whatcom County group, 2 counties: Skagit, Whatcom | Shovel, Excavator, Backhoes, Tractors: 15 To 30 Metric Tons | $93.71 | $63.55 |
| Kitsap County | Shovel, Excavator, Backhoes, Tractors: 15 To 30 Metric Tons | $93.71 | $63.55 |
| Pierce County | Shovel, Excavator, Backhoes, Tractors: 15 To 30 Metric Tons | $93.71 | $63.55 |
| Thurston County | Shovel, Excavator, Backhoes, Tractors: 15 To 30 Metric Tons | $93.71 | $63.55 |
| Yakima County group, 9 counties: Chelan, Clallam, Douglas, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kittitas, Mason, Okanogan, Yakima | Shovel, Excavator, Backhoes, Tractors: 15 To 30 Metric Tons | $93.00 | $62.85 |
| Island County group, 2 counties: Island, San Juan | Shovel, Excavator, Backhoes, Tractors: 15 To 30 Metric Tons | $93.00 | $62.85 |
| Lewis County group, 2 counties: Lewis, Pacific | Shovel, Excavator, Backhoes, Tractors: 15 To 30 Metric Tons | $92.69 | $62.56 |
| Clark County group, 5 counties: Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania, Wahkiakum | Excavator Operator, Over 20,000 Lbs Through 80,000 Lbs(group 4) | $73.15 | $55.60 |
| Grant County group, 6 counties: Adams, Columbia, Ferry, Grant, Pend Oreille, Stevens | Shovel, excavator, backhoe, tractor: 15 to 30 metric tons | $71.08 | $45.59 |
| Spokane County group, 8 counties: Asotin, Benton, Franklin, Garfield, Lincoln, Spokane, Walla Walla, Whitman | Shovel, excavator, backhoe, tractor: 15 to 30 metric tons | $68.01 | $42.59 |
8 groups of counties with identical L&I rates, and 3 counties with rates of their own.
Washington operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
Notes on this rate
L&I's notes, in L&I's words. Some add premiums for hazardous work, special shifts or certifications.
- 9M Certified Crane Operator Premium: Crane operators requiring certifications shall be paid $1.50 per hour above their classification rate. Workers on hazmat projects receive additional hourly premiums as follows - Class A Suit: $2.00, Class B Suit: $1.50, Class C Suit: $1.00, and Class D Suit: $0.50. Special Shift Premium: Basic hourly rate plus $2.00 per hour. When due to conditions beyond the control of the Employer or when an owner (not acting as the contractor), a government agency or the contract specifications requires that work can only be performed outside the normal 6 am to 6pm shift, then the special shift premium will be applied to the basic hourly rate. When an employee works on a special shift, they shall be paid a special shift premium for each hour worked unless they are in OT or Double-time status. (For example, the special shift premium does not waive the overtime requirements for work performed on Saturday or Sunday.)
More from L&I on this rate
- Scope of work, WAC 296-127-01354: which tasks this trade covers. L&I says the right classification “depends upon determinations published by L&I” (L&I).
- L&I's prevailing wage lookup, for any county, trade and bid date
- Apprentices: registered apprentices are paid L&I's apprentice rate for the trade. Anyone without a registered agreement counts as a journey-level worker (RCW 39.12.021).
Every trade's rates, county by county: Asotin · Benton · Franklin · Garfield · Lincoln · Spokane · Walla Walla · Whitman
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your wage to what your employer pays into health, pension and other plans for you, and compare it with $68.01. Each contractor files an L&I-approved Statement of Intent to Pay Prevailing Wages before it's paid, and an Affidavit of Wages Paid when the job is accepted (RCW 39.12.040). On contracts over $10,000 the approved intent and L&I's contact details are posted on the job site (RCW 39.12.020).
Source
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, prevailing wage lookup, Power Equipment Operators (POWE), published August 3, 2026, effective September 2, 2026: secure.lni.wa.gov/wagelookup/. L&I keeps a wage record for each county; for the row this page leads with:
- Asotin County: L&I wage record 149756
- Benton County: L&I wage record 149756
- Franklin County: L&I wage record 149756
- Garfield County: L&I wage record 149756
- Lincoln County: L&I wage record 149756
- Spokane County: L&I wage record 149756
- Walla Walla County: L&I wage record 149756
- Whitman County: L&I wage record 149756
Each figure comes from L&I's lookup and is checked against L&I's CSV export and a second, separate query. How we check · Download every Washington rate as CSV · Report an error