Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Arkansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$44,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#47 of 50
490 employed here

How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in Arkansas?

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators working in Arkansas earn a median salary of $44,010 per year, or about $21.16 per hour. That is 17% below the national median of $53,340 for this occupation.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $35,890 while the top 10% make $50,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,050 and $48,690 a year.

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,890$17.25
25th percentile (early career)$38,050$18.29
50th percentile (median)$44,010$21.16
75th percentile (experienced)$48,690$23.41
90th percentile (top earners)$50,650$24.35

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 47th out of 50 states and territories for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$111,360
2District of Columbia$91,280
3Washington$90,530
4Alaska$83,520
5California$83,130

Working as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Arkansas

Nationally, about 42,000 people work as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($44,010) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in Arkansas?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Arkansas is $44,010 per year, or about $21.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,890 at the entry level to $50,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 17% less than the national median of $53,340. Arkansas ranks 47th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,010 a year. About 490 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in Arkansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.