Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators earn a median $53,340 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators do
Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.9% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 3,100
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators is projected to shrink 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,221
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,307
- Medicare (1.45%)$773
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$45,039
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,230 | $18.38 | $32,898 |
| 25th percentile | $45,610 | $21.93 | $38,828 |
| Median (50th) | $53,340 | $25.64 | $45,039 |
| 75th percentile | $64,720 | $31.12 | $54,183 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,230 | $44.34 | $73,714 |
Best cities for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $62,780 | $49,831 | $44,269 | 3,440 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $62,780
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $111,360 | +2.6% | $80,239 | $51,230 – $123,990 | — |
| District of Columbia | $91,280 | +30.3% | $68,255 | $61,550 – $91,280 | 70 |
| Washington | $90,530 | +17.3% | $72,518 | $58,860 – $118,760 | 530 |
| Alaska | $83,520 | −14.5% | $67,586 | $60,670 – $100,260 | 80 |
| California | $83,130 | +4.6% | $62,730 | $56,980 – $130,120 | 1,400 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 | +29.8% | $60,651 | $60,400 – $101,120 | — |
| Idaho | $73,210 | +51.7% | $57,561 | $49,780 – $112,730 | 130 |
| Illinois | $73,060 | +10.5% | $56,756 | $46,800 – $102,720 | 950 |
| Missouri | $69,400 | −1.6% | $55,328 | $42,410 – $98,560 | 1,560 |
| Wisconsin | $69,020 | −13.1% | $55,108 | $37,440 – $92,150 | 960 |
| Minnesota | $68,180 | −1.1% | $53,682 | $50,310 – $99,920 | 830 |
| Oregon | $63,310 | +3.7% | $48,340 | $55,490 – $103,330 | 520 |
| Rhode Island | $63,060 | +2.6% | $51,101 | $48,390 – $85,530 | 160 |
| New York | $62,760 | −1.7% | $49,816 | $48,450 – $104,350 | 4,530 |
| New Hampshire | $62,080 | +1.9% | $52,061 | $49,240 – $80,800 | 260 |
| Iowa | $61,110 | +1.5% | $49,612 | $52,360 – $65,070 | — |
| Massachusetts | $60,950 | +0.8% | $48,326 | $37,300 – $81,560 | 560 |
| Maryland | $60,530 | +3.1% | $48,304 | $47,000 – $93,430 | 750 |
| Ohio | $60,280 | −1.6% | $49,740 | $38,050 – $93,160 | 2,370 |
| South Dakota | $60,140 | +4.4% | $50,502 | $49,220 – $74,660 | 130 |
| Colorado | $58,810 | +10.1% | $47,555 | $43,610 – $72,650 | 920 |
| Wyoming | $58,080 | −1.4% | $48,847 | $49,290 – $73,440 | 160 |
| Maine | $57,020 | +4.9% | $45,328 | $45,650 – $89,100 | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,010 | −1.0% | $45,465 | $44,320 – $75,400 | 520 |
| Montana | $55,920 | −5.2% | $45,240 | $36,510 – $78,350 | 260 |
| Vermont | $54,830 | +2.3% | $44,833 | $49,920 – $62,060 | 70 |
| Michigan | $54,220 | −0.9% | $43,692 | $38,510 – $74,360 | 1,720 |
| Delaware | $54,020 | +12.5% | $43,264 | $31,200 – $83,200 | 150 |
| Arizona | $52,140 | −13.7% | $42,980 | $47,270 – $75,740 | 170 |
| Nevada | $51,400 | −15.3% | $43,480 | $38,610 – $79,140 | — |
| West Virginia | $51,230 | −10.3% | $41,768 | $41,130 – $77,920 | 210 |
| New Jersey | $50,500 | +5.1% | $41,514 | $42,300 – $72,890 | 840 |
| Indiana | $50,380 | −11.6% | $41,204 | $39,630 – $91,350 | 910 |
| Kansas | $49,070 | −8.3% | $39,669 | $40,150 – $70,670 | 540 |
| Utah | $48,860 | +2.0% | $40,206 | $45,240 – $70,840 | 410 |
| Louisiana | $48,450 | +8.3% | $40,042 | $37,440 – $73,180 | 350 |
| Virginia | $48,060 | +2.6% | $38,847 | $38,130 – $60,410 | 1,660 |
| North Carolina | $47,820 | +0.4% | $39,204 | $37,860 – $61,310 | 1,940 |
| Texas | $47,060 | +0.5% | $39,993 | $37,280 – $61,660 | 3,940 |
| South Carolina | $46,950 | +3.7% | $38,244 | $38,050 – $57,760 | 630 |
| Florida | $46,840 | +4.5% | $39,816 | $37,910 – $60,780 | 2,740 |
| Oklahoma | $46,760 | −1.0% | $38,193 | $36,620 – $58,910 | 550 |
| Georgia | $46,100 | +3.4% | $37,452 | $37,870 – $59,130 | 1,270 |
| New Mexico | $45,880 | +0.1% | $38,039 | $37,130 – $60,180 | 990 |
| Nebraska | $45,760 | −6.4% | $37,746 | $39,340 – $63,260 | 390 |
| Kentucky | $45,660 | +0.0% | $37,387 | $29,540 – $64,600 | 110 |
| Arkansas | $44,010 | +7.7% | $36,038 | $35,890 – $50,650 | 490 |
| Tennessee | $42,510 | −12.7% | $36,337 | $36,300 – $60,300 | 1,730 |
| Alabama | $41,880 | +7.4% | $34,002 | $31,990 – $58,140 | 700 |
| Mississippi | $37,030 | −3.8% | $31,184 | $30,250 – $51,280 | 470 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.6% |
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| Carpet Installer | $50,340 | No formal educational credential | -16.4% |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $56,460 | No formal educational credential | +9.0% |
| Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher | $57,020 | No formal educational credential | +1.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make?
The national median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators is $53,340 a year ($25.64 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,230 and the top 10% earn over $92,230. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $111,360. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are there in the U.S.?
About 41,820 people work as paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators nationwide.