Official Dump Truck Rates: State and Federal Schedules
Hourly rates that government agencies publish for dump trucks, each with the agency's own description, dates and a link to the source.
These aren't market rates. Each one is set for a specific kind of public work: a legal minimum, the most a state will pay, or what an agency reimburses. What owner-operators actually charge is in the rate survey. To work out your own rate, start from your costs in the hourly rate calculator.
Truck with driver
Minnesota: minimum hourly rates for a hired truck with driver
Minnesota sets a legal minimum hourly rate for trucks hired for hauling on state-funded work. In the Department of Labor and Industry's words: "Minimum truck rental rates are a combination of costs for truck operation and prevailing wage for drivers."
When it applies, in MnDOT's words: "A contractor or subcontractor that hires an Independent Truck Owner/Operator (ITO), Multiple Truck Owner (MTO), Trucking Company and/or Truck Broker to perform and/or provide covered hauling activities under a contract that is funded in whole or in part with state funds must comply with the payment of the appropriate State Truck Rental rates." It doesn't set rates for private work.
| Region | Tractor trailer | Four or more axle | Three axle | Tractor only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | $134.62/hr from May 1, 2026 | $140.96/hr from May 1, 2026 | $104.77/hr from May 1, 2026 | $123.16/hr from May 1, 2026 |
| Region 2 | $127.00/hr from May 1, 2026 | $128.13/hr | $97.14/hr from May 1, 2026 | $115.54/hr from May 1, 2026 |
| Region 3 | $114.77/hr | $115.39/hr | $83.61/hr | $103.31/hr |
| Region 4 | $116.69/hr | $127.14/hr | $97.72/hr | $105.23/hr |
| Region 5 | $95.26/hr | $128.17/hr | $85.36/hr | $83.80/hr |
| Region 6 | $132.46/hr from May 1, 2026 | $138.78/hr from May 1, 2026 | $94.60/hr | $121.00/hr from May 1, 2026 |
| Region 7 | $127.00/hr from May 1, 2026 | $133.37/hr from May 1, 2026 | $84.45/hr | $115.54/hr from May 1, 2026 |
| Region 8 | $113.92/hr | $119.41/hr | $80.85/hr | $102.46/hr |
| Region 9 | $135.11/hr from May 1, 2026 | $141.44/hr from May 1, 2026 | $105.26/hr from May 1, 2026 | $123.65/hr from May 1, 2026 |
| Region 10 | $127.00/hr from May 1, 2026 | $129.47/hr | $96.86/hr | $115.54/hr from May 1, 2026 |
Rates in force from December 22, 2025; * marks a rate that went up on May 1, 2026. Minnesota surveys operating costs from August 17, 2026 to October 16, 2026, so new rates will follow.
Which column is my truck? Count the axles. Minnesota's rules name the driver classes by axle count, "Three axle units" and "Four or more axle unit, straight body truck" (Minnesota Rules 5200.1100). Which region? The rates apply in "the State's 10 highway and heavy construction areas" (DLI notice of determination); find your county below.
Which region is my county in?
- Region 1: Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine, Saint Louis
- Region 2: Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau
- Region 3: Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd, Wadena
- Region 4: Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin
- Region 5: Benton, Isanti, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright
- Region 6: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Winona
- Region 7: Blue Earth, Faribault, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca
- Region 8: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Yellow Medicine
- Region 9: Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington
- Region 10: Brown, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Nobles, Rock, Watonwan
From Minnesota Rules 5200.1030 (highway and heavy construction areas).
Each rate combines an operating cost for the truck, set by a statewide survey, with the prevailing wage for drivers in that region. The operating cost part is four or more axle $73.41/hr, three axle $37.35/hr, tractor only $54.96/hr, tractor trailer $66.42/hr.
Source: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minimum truck rental rates. Checked against the source on September 24, 2026.
Maine: most the state pays to hire a private dump truck
Maine DOT publishes the most it will pay to hire private equipment on maintenance, collector road improvement and other force account projects. In its words: "The following equipment rental rates determine the maximum the State will pay to hire various types of private equipment either with or without operator." "The “with operator” rate is a combined rate covering equipment and labor plus an additional allowance for fringe benefits and incidental labor cost. The “without operator” rate is for equipment rental only."
Maine DOT adds: "Remember, the state rates are a statewide average and the going rates in various parts of the state may differ (higher or lower) depending on the availability of labor and how busy private contractors are."
| Body | With driver | Truck only |
|---|---|---|
| 4 yd³ | $74.44/hr | $24.26/hr |
| 6 yd³ | $83.36/hr | $33.17/hr |
| 8 yd³ | $89.68/hr | $39.49/hr |
| 10 yd³ | $97.76/hr | $44.40/hr |
| 12 yd³ | $101.76/hr | $48.40/hr |
| 14 yd³ | $105.16/hr | $51.80/hr |
| 16 yd³ | $108.10/hr | $54.74/hr |
| 18 yd³ | $110.68/hr | $57.32/hr |
| Live-bottom truck-tractor combo, 350+ hp, 27–30 ton (18–22 yd³) trailer | $136.34/hr | $82.98/hr |
All trucks shall be equipped with hydraulic hoist and be registered for the corresponding gross weight.
Source: Maine Department of Transportation, 2026 Labor Reimbursement and Private Equipment Rates (Rev A) · PDF. In force from January 1, 2026. Checked against the source on September 24, 2026.
Truck-only costs (no driver)
These two schedules price the truck alone: fuel, repairs, depreciation and the like, but not the driver. They are closer to a truck's cost than to a rate you'd charge. Compare them with your own numbers in the cost per hour calculator, not with an hourly rate.
California: Caltrans equipment rental rates
In Caltrans's words: "Compensation for work paid by force account is determined to be the total of the direct equipment costs (rental rate) plus a 15 percent markup for all overhead not included as direct costs. The operator cost is not included in the equipment rate. The calculated rate represents the cost of owning and operating the equipment, which is likely to be lower than the rate charged by a rental yard."
| Truck | Per hour, no driver |
|---|---|
| 2 axles | $77.05/hr |
| 3 axles | $99.79/hr |
| 4 axles | $111.72/hr |
| 5 axles | $125.52/hr |
Source: California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Labor Surcharge and Equipment Rental Rates. In force September 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Checked against the source on September 24, 2026.
All states: FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates
The rates include depreciation, overhead, all maintenance, field repairs, fuel, lubricants, tires and OSHA equipment. Labor costs of the operator are not included in the rates. They apply to major disasters and emergencies declared by the President on or after July 1, 2025.
| Truck | Body | Horsepower | Per hour, no driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Freightliner Business Class M2 106 (code 8720) | 7 yd³ | 330 hp | $55.28/hr |
| 2026 Freightliner Business Class M2 106 (code 8721) | 9 yd³ | 350 hp | $100.63/hr |
| 2025 Freightliner Business Class M2 106 Plus (code 8722) | 12 yd³ | 350 hp | $120.74/hr |
| 2025 Freightliner 108SD (code 8723) | 14 yd³ | 470 hp | $122.94/hr |
| 2025 Freightliner 114SD Plus (code 8724) | 18 yd³ | 525 hp | $147.99/hr |
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 2025 Schedule of Equipment Rates · PDF. In force from July 1, 2025. Checked against the source on September 24, 2026.
Other states
We only list schedules that give an hourly rate for a dump truck and are current. Many states publish prevailing wages for truck drivers, which cover the driver's pay but not the truck, so they aren't here. Know of a state schedule we've missed? Tell us.