California Median
$83,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+56% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#5 of 50
1,400 employed here
How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in California?
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators working in California earn a median salary of $83,130 per year, or about $39.97 per hour. That is 56% above the national median of $53,340 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $56,980 while the top 10% make $130,120 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,270 and $126,640 a year.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,980 | $27.39 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $64,270 | $30.90 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,130 | $39.97 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $126,640 | $60.88 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,120 | $62.56 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 50 states and territories for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in other states
Hawaii $111,360District of Columbia $91,280Washington $90,530Alaska $83,520Connecticut $77,480Idaho $73,210Illinois $73,060Missouri $69,400Wisconsin $69,020Minnesota $68,180Oregon $63,310Rhode Island $63,060New York $62,760New Hampshire $62,080Iowa $61,110Massachusetts $60,950Maryland $60,530Ohio $60,280South Dakota $60,140Colorado $58,810Wyoming $58,080Maine $57,020Pennsylvania $56,010Montana $55,920Vermont $54,830Michigan $54,220Delaware $54,020Arizona $52,140Nevada $51,400West Virginia $51,230New Jersey $50,500Indiana $50,380Kansas $49,070Utah $48,860Louisiana $48,450Virginia $48,060North Carolina $47,820Texas $47,060South Carolina $46,950Florida $46,840Oklahoma $46,760Georgia $46,100New Mexico $45,880Nebraska $45,760Kentucky $45,660Arkansas $44,010Tennessee $42,510Alabama $41,880Mississippi $37,030
Working as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California
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 California pay ($83,130) 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 California?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in California is $83,130 per year, or about $39.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,980 at the entry level to $130,120 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 56% more than the national median of $53,340. California ranks 5th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $83,130 a year. About 1,400 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), 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.