Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary
The median paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary in the United States is $53,340 per year ($25.64/hour). Salaries range from $38,230 at the entry level to $92,230+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 41,820 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3.2% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$53,340
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.64
per hour
Employment
41,820
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$38,230
25th percentile
$45,610
Median
$53,340
75th percentile
$64,720
90th percentile
$92,230
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+3.2%
As fast as average
Annual Openings
4,000
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Training Needed
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$37K$111K■ No data
Top Paying States
Hawaii
$111K
+109%
District of Columbia
$91K
+71%
Washington
$91K
+70%
Alaska
$84K
+57%
California
$83K
+56%
Connecticut
$77K
+45%
Idaho
$73K
+37%
Illinois
$73K
+37%
Missouri
$69K
+30%
Wisconsin
$69K
+29%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $111,360 | +108.8% |
| District of Columbia | $91,280 | +71.1% |
| Washington | $90,530 | +69.7% |
| Alaska | $83,520 | +56.6% |
| California | $83,130 | +55.8% |
| Connecticut | $77,480 | +45.3% |
| Idaho | $73,210 | +37.3% |
| Illinois | $73,060 | +37.0% |
| Missouri | $69,400 | +30.1% |
| Wisconsin | $69,020 | +29.4% |
Showing 1–10 of 50
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $126,640 | +137.4% |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $111,360 | +108.8% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $104,530 | +96.0% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $96,590 | +81.1% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $95,510 | +79.1% |
| Madison, WI | $93,610 | +75.5% |
| Anchorage, AK | $84,190 | +57.8% |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $83,370 | +56.3% |
| Rochester, MN | $82,730 | +55.1% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,340 | +50.6% |
Showing 1–10 of 157
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earning $53,340/year would need 1117 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1200 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary trend (2011–2024) →