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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$90,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+70% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#3 of 50
530 employed here

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

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators working in Washington earn a median salary of $90,530 per year, or about $43.52 per hour. That is 70% above the national median of $53,340 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $58,860 while the top 10% make $118,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,810 and $102,000 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$58,860$28.30
25th percentile (early career)$73,810$35.49
50th percentile (median)$90,530$43.52
75th percentile (experienced)$102,000$49.04
90th percentile (top earners)$118,760$57.10

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 3rd 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($90,530) 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 Washington?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Washington is $90,530 per year, or about $43.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,860 at the entry level to $118,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 70% more than the national median of $53,340. Washington ranks 3rd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $90,530 a year. About 530 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.