South Dakota Median
$60,140
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#20 of 50
130 employed here
How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $60,140 per year, or about $28.91 per hour. That is 13% above the national median of $53,340 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $49,220 while the top 10% make $74,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,830 and $69,680 a year.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,220 | $23.66 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $54,830 | $26.36 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,140 | $28.91 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $69,680 | $33.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,660 | $35.89 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 20th 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 $60,280Colorado $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 $48,060North 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 South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($60,140) 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 South Dakota?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in South Dakota is $60,140 per year, or about $28.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,220 at the entry level to $74,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 13% more than the national median of $53,340. South Dakota ranks 20th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,140 a year. About 130 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in South Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.