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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$54,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#27 of 50
1,720 employed here

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

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators working in Michigan earn a median salary of $54,220 per year, or about $26.07 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $53,340 for this occupation.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $38,510 while the top 10% make $74,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,420 and $62,380 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,510$18.51
25th percentile (early career)$45,420$21.84
50th percentile (median)$54,220$26.07
75th percentile (experienced)$62,380$29.99
90th percentile (top earners)$74,360$35.75

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 27th 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 Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($54,220) 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 Michigan?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Michigan is $54,220 per year, or about $26.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,510 at the entry level to $74,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 2% more than the national median of $53,340. Michigan ranks 27th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Michigan pays above the national median for this occupation, at $54,220 a year. About 1,720 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in Michigan. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

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

Related salaries

Electrician

$63,190
median pay · 757,000 employed

Hazardous Material Removal Workers

$49,450
median pay · 52,000 employed

Rock Splitter, Quarry

$48,740
median pay · 3,000 employed

Brickmasons and Blockmasons

$62,120
median pay · 53,000 employed
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.