Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Make?
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators earn a median annual salary of $51,650 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,030 at the 10th percentile to $90,110 at the 90th percentile — a range of $52,080. The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $108,570.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,030 |
| 25th percentile | $44,740 |
| Median (50th) | $51,650 |
| 75th percentile | $66,060 |
| 90th percentile | $90,110 |
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaiitop | $108,570 |
| Alaska | $97,670 |
| California | $79,460 |
| Wisconsin | $79,440 |
| Washington | $77,180 |
| Missouri | $70,520 |
| District of Columbia | $70,030 |
| Minnesota | $68,920 |
| Illinois | $66,130 |
| New York | $63,860 |
| Rhode Island | $61,440 |
| Ohio | $61,290 |
| Oregon | $61,050 |
| New Hampshire | $60,950 |
| Nevada | $60,680 |
| Massachusetts | $60,450 |
| Arizona | $60,450 |
| Iowa | $60,230 |
| Connecticut | $59,710 |
| Montana | $58,980 |
| Wyoming | $58,930 |
| Maryland | $58,720 |
| South Dakota | $57,610 |
| West Virginia | $57,140 |
| Indiana | $56,960 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,600 |
| Michigan | $54,690 |
| Maine | $54,340 |
| Vermont | $53,580 |
| Kansas | $53,540 |
| Colorado | $53,430 |
| Nebraska | $48,900 |
| Tennessee | $48,690 |
| Idaho | $48,270 |
| New Jersey | $48,070 |
| Delaware | $48,000 |
| Utah | $47,890 |
| North Carolina | $47,620 |
| Oklahoma | $47,230 |
| Virginia | $46,850 |
| Texas | $46,810 |
| New Mexico | $45,820 |
| Kentucky | $45,650 |
| South Carolina | $45,290 |
| Florida | $44,810 |
| Louisiana | $44,720 |
| Georgia | $44,600 |
| Arkansas | $40,860 |
| Alabama | $39,000 |
| Mississippi | $38,490 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$38,030 – $44,740 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$51,650 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$66,060 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $90,110+ |
How to Earn More as a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA earn $123,470 — $71,820 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($66,060) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operatorthis career | $51,650 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher | $54,660 |
| Terrazzo Workers and Finisher | $57,260 |
| Construction Laborer | $46,730 |
| Pile Driver Operator | $70,510 |
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SOC: 47-2071.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.