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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$50,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.28
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#32 of 50
840 employed here

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

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators working in New Jersey earn a median salary of $50,500 per year, or about $24.28 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $53,340 for this occupation.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $42,300 while the top 10% make $72,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,450 and $59,600 a year.

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,300$20.34
25th percentile (early career)$44,450$21.37
50th percentile (median)$50,500$24.28
75th percentile (experienced)$59,600$28.65
90th percentile (top earners)$72,890$35.04

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 32nd 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($50,500) 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 New Jersey?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in New Jersey is $50,500 per year, or about $24.28 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,300 at the entry level to $72,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 5% less than the national median of $53,340. New Jersey ranks 32nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,500 a year. About 840 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.