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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
West Virginia Median
$51,230
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $53,340
State Rank
#31 of 50
210 employed here

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

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in West Virginia take home a median of $51,230 annually — roughly $24.63 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $53,340.

Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $41,130 while the top 10% make $77,920 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,370 and $58,390 a year.

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary range in West Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$41,130$19.77
25th percentile (early career)$45,370$21.81
50th percentile (median)$51,230$24.63
75th percentile (experienced)$58,390$28.07
90th percentile (top earners)$77,920$37.46

How West Virginia compares

West Virginia ranks 31st 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 West Virginia

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 West Virginia pay ($51,230) 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 West Virginia?
The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in West Virginia is $51,230 per year, or about $24.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,130 at the entry level to $77,920 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators about 4% less than the national median of $53,340. West Virginia ranks 31st out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,230 a year. About 210 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.