How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make?
The median pay for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in the United States is $53,340 per year — about $25.64 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $38,230, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $92,230.
That is $8,050 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary range by percentile
Half of all Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators earn between $45,610 and $64,720 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,230 | $18.38 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,610 | $21.93 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,340 | $25.64 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $64,720 | $31.12 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,230 | $44.34 |
Highest-paying states for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Hawaii leads the country for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay at $111,360 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($91,280) and Washington ($90,530). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $37,030 — a gap of $74,330 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $111,360 | $53.54 | +109% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $91,280 | $43.88 | +71% |
| 3 | Washington | $90,530 | $43.52 | +70% |
| 4 | Alaska | $83,520 | $40.15 | +57% |
| 5 | California | $83,130 | $39.97 | +56% |
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 42,000 people work as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $59,000 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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