North Carolina Median
$47,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#38 of 50
1,940 employed here
How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in North Carolina?
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina take home a median of $47,820 annually — roughly $22.99 an hour — which runs 10% below the national median of $53,340.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $37,860 while the top 10% make $61,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,630 and $53,890 a year.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,860 | $18.20 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $40,630 | $19.53 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,820 | $22.99 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $53,890 | $25.91 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,310 | $29.48 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 38th 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 $56,010Montana $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 $48,060Texas $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($47,820) 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 North Carolina?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in North Carolina is $47,820 per year, or about $22.99 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,860 at the entry level to $61,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 10% less than the national median of $53,340. North Carolina ranks 38th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,820 a year. About 1,940 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.