Montana Median
$55,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#25 of 50
260 employed here
How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in Montana?
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Montana take home a median of $55,920 annually — roughly $26.88 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $53,340.
Within Montana, entry-level pay starts around $36,510 while the top 10% make $78,350 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,890 and $68,180 a year.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary range in Montana
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,510 | $17.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,890 | $23.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $55,920 | $26.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $68,180 | $32.78 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,350 | $37.67 |
|
How Montana compares
Montana ranks 25th 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 $83,520California $83,130Connecticut $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 $56,010Vermont $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 Montana
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 Montana pay ($55,920) 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 Montana?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Montana is $55,920 per year, or about $26.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,510 at the entry level to $78,350 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Montana pay compare to the national average?
Montana pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 5% more than the national median of $53,340. Montana ranks 25th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Montana a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Montana pays above the national median for this occupation, at $55,920 a year. About 260 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in Montana. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Montana?
The highest-paying occupations in Montana include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($560,820), Physician, All Other ($438,850), Radiologist ($360,330), 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.