What is the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage for a heavy equipment operator in Rhode Island?

There is no single figure. Active federal determinations for Rhode Island publish 26 heavy equipment operator classification rates ranging from $11.71 to $51.30 per hour before fringe benefits. The rate that applies depends on the county, the type of construction and the wage determination incorporated into the contract.

How many counties in Rhode Island have a published heavy equipment operator rate?

5 of the counties covered by active federal determinations list at least one heavy equipment operator classification.

Do these rates apply to state-funded projects?

No. These are federal Davis-Bacon rates, which apply to federally funded or assisted construction. Rhode Island may set its own prevailing wage rates for state and locally funded work; the state law summary is on the Rhode Island prevailing wage page.

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Heavy Equipment Operator prevailing wage rates in Rhode Island

Federal Davis-Bacon rates published in 3 active determinations, 2026

Active federal Davis-Bacon determinations for Rhode Island publish 26 heavy equipment operator classification rates, across 3 determinations covering 5 counties.
Those published base rates run from $11.71 to $51.30 an hour before fringe benefits. Which one applies to a job depends on its county, its construction type and the determination written into the contract.
Construction types covered: Building, Heavy, Highway, Residential.
Last determination revision affecting heavy equipment operator rates in Rhode Island: 2026-07-30.

The official source: binding Davis-Bacon and Service Contract Act wage determinations are published by the U.S. Department of Labor at SAM.gov Wage Determinations. This site indexes them and links every determination to its official document - the determination incorporated into a contract governs.

This page collects every classification in Rhode Island's active federal determinations that is a form of heavy equipment operator work (cranes, excavators, dozers, loaders and other power equipment) and shows the rate published for it. Determinations name a classification the way the underlying union agreement or wage survey named it, so the wording varies between them; the rate and the fringe are reproduced exactly as published.

Published rates by determination

RI20260001 rev 4 · Building, Heavy, Highway · Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, Washington

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: POWER PLANTS, SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUMPING STATIONS, TUNNELS, CAISSONS, PIERS, DOCKS, BRIDGES, WIND TURBINES, SUBTERRANEAN & OTHER MARINE AND HEAVY CON	$51.30	29.95	ENGI0057-001 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: POWER PLANTS, SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUMPING STATIONS, TUNNELS, CAISSONS, PIERS, DOCKS, BRIDGES, WIND TURBINES, SUBTERRANEAN & OTHER MARINE AND HEAVY CON	$49.30	29.95	ENGI0057-001 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: POWER PLANTS, SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUMPING STATIONS, TUNNELS, CAISSONS, PIERS, DOCKS, BRIDGES, WIND TURBINES, SUBTERRANEAN & OTHER MARINE AND HEAVY CON	$44.92	29.95	ENGI0057-001 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: POWER PLANTS, SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUMPING STATIONS, TUNNELS, CAISSONS, PIERS, DOCKS, BRIDGES, WIND TURBINES, SUBTERRANEAN & OTHER MARINE AND HEAVY CON	$42.07	29.95	ENGI0057-001 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: POWER PLANTS, SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUMPING STATIONS, TUNNELS, CAISSONS, PIERS, DOCKS, BRIDGES, WIND TURBINES, SUBTERRANEAN & OTHER MARINE AND HEAVY CON	$48.35	29.95	ENGI0057-001 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: POWER PLANTS, SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUMPING STATIONS, TUNNELS, CAISSONS, PIERS, DOCKS, BRIDGES, WIND TURBINES, SUBTERRANEAN & OTHER MARINE AND HEAVY CON	$39.15	29.95	ENGI0057-001 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: POWER PLANTS, SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUMPING STATIONS, TUNNELS, CAISSONS, PIERS, DOCKS, BRIDGES, WIND TURBINES, SUBTERRANEAN & OTHER MARINE AND HEAVY CON	$33.15	29.95	ENGI0057-001 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: POWER PLANTS, SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUMPING STATIONS, TUNNELS, CAISSONS, PIERS, DOCKS, BRIDGES, WIND TURBINES, SUBTERRANEAN & OTHER MARINE AND HEAVY CON	$45.00	29.95	ENGI0057-001 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: POWER PLANTS, SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUMPING STATIONS, TUNNELS, CAISSONS, PIERS, DOCKS, BRIDGES, WIND TURBINES, SUBTERRANEAN & OTHER MARINE AND HEAVY CON	$48.92	29.95	ENGI0057-001 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 1: CRANES, LIGHTERS, BOOM TRUCKS AND DERRICKS. (BOOM LENTHS, INCLUDING JIBS: 150 FT. AND OVER: + $ 2.00; 180 FT. AND OVER: +	$50.57	29.95	ENGI0057-003 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 3: TELEHANDLER EQUIPMENT, FORKLIFT, CONCRETE PUMP & ON-SITE CONCRETE PLANT. (BOOM LENTHS, INCLUDING JIBS: 150 FT. AND OVER: +	$48.35	29.95	ENGI0057-003 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 4: FIREMAN & OILER ON CRANES. (BOOM LENTHS, INCLUDING JIBS: 150 FT. AND OVER: + $ 2.00; 180 FT. AND OVER: + $ 3.00; 210 FT. A	$44.35	29.95	ENGI0057-003 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 5: OILER ON CRAWLER BACKHOE. (BOOM LENTHS, INCLUDING JIBS: 150 FT. AND OVER: + $ 2.00; 180 FT. AND OVER: + $ 3.00; 210 FT. AN	$41.50	29.95	ENGI0057-003 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 6: BULLDOZER,SKID STEER LOADERS,BOBCATS, TRACTOR, GRADER, SCRAPER,COMBINATION LOADER BACKHOE, ROLLER, FRONT END LOADER (LESS	$47.65	29.95	ENGI0057-003 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 7: WELL POINT INSTALLATION CREW. (BOOM LENTHS, INCLUDING JIBS: 150 FT. AND OVER: + $ 2.00; 180 FT. AND OVER: + $ 3.00; 210 FT	$47.22	29.95	ENGI0057-003 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: GROUP 8: HEATER, CONCRETE MIXER, STONE CRUSHER, WELDING MACHINE, GENERATOR FOR LIGHT PLANT, GAS AND ELECTRIC DRIVEN PUMP & AIR COMP	$44.54	29.95	ENGI0057-003 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; WATER AND SEWERLINE PROJECTS WHICH ARE INCIDENTAL TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; AND BRIDGE PROJECTS THAT DO NOT SPAN WA	$46.45	29.95	ENGI0057-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; WATER AND SEWERLINE PROJECTS WHICH ARE INCIDENTAL TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; AND BRIDGE PROJECTS THAT DO NOT SPAN WA	$44.45	29.95	ENGI0057-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; WATER AND SEWERLINE PROJECTS WHICH ARE INCIDENTAL TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; AND BRIDGE PROJECTS THAT DO NOT SPAN WA	$39.15	29.95	ENGI0057-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; WATER AND SEWERLINE PROJECTS WHICH ARE INCIDENTAL TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; AND BRIDGE PROJECTS THAT DO NOT SPAN WA	$25.75	29.95	ENGI0057-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; WATER AND SEWERLINE PROJECTS WHICH ARE INCIDENTAL TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; AND BRIDGE PROJECTS THAT DO NOT SPAN WA	$33.15	29.95	ENGI0057-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; WATER AND SEWERLINE PROJECTS WHICH ARE INCIDENTAL TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; AND BRIDGE PROJECTS THAT DO NOT SPAN WA	$39.73	29.95	ENGI0057-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; WATER AND SEWERLINE PROJECTS WHICH ARE INCIDENTAL TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; AND BRIDGE PROJECTS THAT DO NOT SPAN WA	$43.43	29.95	ENGI0057-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; WATER AND SEWERLINE PROJECTS WHICH ARE INCIDENTAL TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; AND BRIDGE PROJECTS THAT DO NOT SPAN WA	$38.70	29.95	ENGI0057-005 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: RI20260001 on SAM.gov.

RI20260002 rev 2 · Residential · Bristol, Kent, Providence, Washington

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (BACKHOE)	$20.27	8.98	SURI1999-002 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: RI20260002 on SAM.gov.

RI20260003 rev 2 · Residential · Newport

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR (BACKHOE & BULLDOZER)	$11.71	2.33	SURI1999-003 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: RI20260003 on SAM.gov.

Where to go next

Heavy Equipment Operator rates in every state · Rhode Island prevailing wage and state law · Rhode Island determinations by county · pay calculator

Other trades in Rhode Island

Plumber · Carpenter · Construction Laborer · Truck Driver · Cement Mason / Concrete Finisher · Bricklayer / Mason · Roofer · Painter · Insulator (Heat & Frost)