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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$56,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#24 of 50
520 employed here

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

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Pennsylvania take home a median of $56,010 annually — roughly $26.93 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $53,340.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $44,320 while the top 10% make $75,400 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,720 and $63,600 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,320$21.31
25th percentile (early career)$48,720$23.42
50th percentile (median)$56,010$26.93
75th percentile (experienced)$63,600$30.58
90th percentile (top earners)$75,400$36.25

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 24th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($56,010) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Pennsylvania is $56,010 per year, or about $26.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,320 at the entry level to $75,400 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 5% more than the national median of $53,340. Pennsylvania ranks 24th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Pennsylvania pays above the national median for this occupation, at $56,010 a year. About 520 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in Pennsylvania. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.