Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Mean (average) | $59,000 | $28.37 |
| 90th percentile | $92,230 | $44.34 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 51 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,880 | $31,990 | $58,140 | 700 | 1.23 |
| Alaska | $83,520 | $60,670 | $100,260 | 80 | 0.88 |
| Arizona | $52,140 | $47,270 | $75,740 | 170 | 0.19 |
| Arkansas | $44,010 | $35,890 | $50,650 | 490 | 1.38 |
| California | $83,130 | $56,980 | $130,120 | 1,400 | 0.29 |
| Colorado | $58,810 | $43,610 | $72,650 | 920 | 1.19 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 | $60,400 | $101,120 | ||
| Delaware | $54,020 | $31,200 | $83,200 | 150 | 1.17 |
| District of Columbia | $91,280 | $61,550 | $91,280 | 70 | 0.36 |
| Florida | $46,840 | $37,910 | $60,780 | 2,740 | 1.03 |
| Georgia | $46,100 | $37,870 | $59,130 | 1,270 | 0.97 |
| Hawaii | $111,360 | $51,230 | $123,990 | ||
| Idaho | $73,210 | $49,780 | $112,730 | 130 | 0.56 |
| Illinois | $73,060 | $46,800 | $102,720 | 950 | 0.58 |
| Indiana | $50,380 | $39,630 | $91,350 | 910 | 1.05 |
| Iowa | $61,110 | $52,360 | $65,070 | ||
| Kansas | $49,070 | $40,150 | $70,670 | 540 | 1.4 |
| Kentucky | $45,660 | $29,540 | $64,600 | 110 | 0.21 |
| Louisiana | $48,450 | $37,440 | $73,180 | 350 | 0.67 |
| Maine | $57,020 | $45,650 | $89,100 | 250 | 1.43 |
| Maryland | $60,530 | $47,000 | $93,430 | 750 | 1.01 |
| Massachusetts | $60,950 | $37,300 | $81,560 | 560 | 0.57 |
| Michigan | $54,220 | $38,510 | $74,360 | 1,720 | 1.45 |
| Minnesota | $68,180 | $50,310 | $99,920 | 830 | 1.04 |
| Mississippi | $37,030 | $30,250 | $51,280 | 470 | 1.51 |
| Missouri | $69,400 | $42,410 | $98,560 | 1,560 | 1.98 |
| Montana | $55,920 | $36,510 | $78,350 | 260 | 1.87 |
| Nebraska | $45,760 | $39,340 | $63,260 | 390 | 1.43 |
| Nevada | $51,400 | $38,610 | $79,140 | ||
| New Hampshire | $62,080 | $49,240 | $80,800 | 260 | 1.4 |
| New Jersey | $50,500 | $42,300 | $72,890 | 840 | 0.73 |
| New Mexico | $45,880 | $37,130 | $60,180 | 990 | 4.23 |
| New York | $62,760 | $48,450 | $104,350 | 4,530 | 1.74 |
| North Carolina | $47,820 | $37,860 | $61,310 | 1,940 | 1.46 |
| Ohio | $60,280 | $38,050 | $93,160 | 2,370 | 1.59 |
| Oklahoma | $46,760 | $36,620 | $58,910 | 550 | 1.19 |
| Oregon | $63,310 | $55,490 | $103,330 | 520 | 0.98 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,010 | $44,320 | $75,400 | 520 | 0.32 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,460 | $26,980 | $35,960 | 230 | 0.89 |
| Rhode Island | $63,060 | $48,390 | $85,530 | 160 | 1.16 |
| South Carolina | $46,950 | $38,050 | $57,760 | 630 | 1.01 |
| South Dakota | $60,140 | $49,220 | $74,660 | 130 | 1.03 |
| Tennessee | $42,510 | $36,300 | $60,300 | 1,730 | 1.96 |
| Texas | $47,060 | $37,280 | $61,660 | 3,940 | 1.04 |
| Utah | $48,860 | $45,240 | $70,840 | 410 | 0.88 |
| Vermont | $54,830 | $49,920 | $62,060 | 70 | 0.83 |
| Virginia | $48,060 | $38,130 | $60,410 | 1,660 | 1.5 |
| Washington | $90,530 | $58,860 | $118,760 | 530 | 0.55 |
| West Virginia | $51,230 | $41,130 | $77,920 | 210 | 1.1 |
| Wisconsin | $69,020 | $37,440 | $92,150 | 960 | 1.22 |
| Wyoming | $58,080 | $49,290 | $73,440 | 160 | 2.08 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 3,100. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 2.4%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Start machine, engage clutch, and push and move levers to guide machine along forms or guidelines and to control the operation of machine attachments.
- Fill tanks, hoppers, or machines with paving materials.
- Control paving machines to push dump trucks and to maintain a constant flow of asphalt or other material into hoppers or screeds.
- Observe distribution of paving material to adjust machine settings or material flow, and indicate low spots for workers to add material.
- Coordinate truck dumping.
- Drive machines onto truck trailers, and drive trucks to transport machines and material to and from job sites.
- Inspect, clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using mechanics' hand tools, or report malfunctions to supervisors.
- Set up and tear down equipment.
Technology skills
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Database software
- Email software
- HCSS HeavyBid
- Time report software
- Warehouse management system WMS
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Coordination, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Equipment Maintenance.
Common job titles: Asphalt Paver Operator, Asphalt Paving Machine Operator, Asphalt Raker, Asphalt Roller Operator, Equipment Operator (EO), Loader Operator, Maintenance Equipment Operator (MEO), Paver Operator, Roller Operator, Screed Operator.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make?
The national median annual wage for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators was $53,340 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $38,230 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $92,230. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators a growing career?
BLS projects employment of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators to change -0.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 3,100 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Hawaii ($111,360), District of Columbia ($91,280), Washington ($90,530). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.