Tennessee Median
$42,510
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#48 of 50
1,730 employed here
How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in Tennessee?
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $42,510 per year, or about $20.44 per hour. That is 20% below the national median of $53,340 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $36,300 while the top 10% make $60,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,770 and $51,740 a year.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,300 | $17.45 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,770 | $18.16 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,510 | $20.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $51,740 | $24.88 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,300 | $28.99 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 48th 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 $48,060North Carolina $47,820Texas $47,060South Carolina $46,950Florida $46,840Oklahoma $46,760Georgia $46,100New Mexico $45,880Nebraska $45,760Kentucky $45,660Arkansas $44,010Alabama $41,880Mississippi $37,030
Working as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($42,510) 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 Tennessee?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Tennessee is $42,510 per year, or about $20.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,300 at the entry level to $60,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 20% less than the national median of $53,340. Tennessee ranks 48th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $42,510 a year. About 1,730 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary report
Related salaries
$63,190
median pay · 757,000 employed
$49,450
median pay · 52,000 employed
$48,740
median pay · 3,000 employed
$57,430
median pay · 34,000 employed
$62,120
median pay · 53,000 employed
$59,850
median pay · 478,000 employed
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.