Craft comparison
Operating engineer: which prevailing wage is higher in Los Angeles?
Operating engineer comparison for Los Angeles County: federal Davis-Bacon total 96.60 vs California prevailing wage total 103.75.
Result
California has the higher listed sample total by 7.15 per hour. The federal classification is Power equipment, all other work, group 1; the California classification is Operating engineer, group 1. This July 22, 2026 snapshot is a pricing reference, not a coverage or pay determination.
Bid-file use
Use this as an early estimating check and attach the official wage determination and state schedule excerpts to the project file before bid close.
Rate comparison
Federal vs California total hourly
| Craft | Federal listed total | CA listed total | Higher listed total | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating engineer | $96.60 | $103.75 | California | $7.15 |
Official sources