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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$73,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+37% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#8 of 50
950 employed here

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

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators working in Illinois earn a median salary of $73,060 per year, or about $35.13 per hour. That is 37% above the national median of $53,340 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $46,800 while the top 10% make $102,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,000 and $102,240 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,800$22.50
25th percentile (early career)$56,000$26.92
50th percentile (median)$73,060$35.13
75th percentile (experienced)$102,240$49.15
90th percentile (top earners)$102,720$49.38

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 8th 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 Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($73,060) 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 Illinois?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Illinois is $73,060 per year, or about $35.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,800 at the entry level to $102,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 37% more than the national median of $53,340. Illinois ranks 8th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $73,060 a year. About 950 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.