Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary by State
Also called: Paving Equipment Operators
The national median pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators is $53,340 a year. By state, it ranges from $37,030 in Mississippi to $111,360 in Hawaii.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $38,230
- 25th percentile
- $45,610
- Median
- $53,340
- 75th percentile
- $64,720
- Top 10%
- $92,230
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 41,820 jobs.
Median pay in 49 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $111,360 | +109% | $51,230 | $123,990 | Not published |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $91,280 | +71% | $61,550 | $91,280 | 70 |
| 3 | Washington | $90,530 | +70% | $58,860 | $118,760 | 530 |
| 4 | Alaska | $83,520 | +57% | $60,670 | $100,260 | 80 |
| 5 | California | $83,130 | +56% | $56,980 | $130,120 | 1,400 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $77,480 | +45% | $60,400 | $101,120 | Not published |
| 7 | Idaho | $73,210 | +37% | $49,780 | $112,730 | 130 |
| 8 | Illinois | $73,060 | +37% | $46,800 | $102,720 | 950 |
| 9 | Missouri | $69,400 | +30% | $42,410 | $98,560 | 1,560 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $69,020 | +29% | $37,440 | $92,150 | 960 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $68,180 | +28% | $50,310 | $99,920 | 830 |
| 12 | Oregon | $63,310 | +19% | $55,490 | $103,330 | 520 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $63,060 | +18% | $48,390 | $85,530 | 160 |
| 14 | New York | $62,760 | +18% | $48,450 | $104,350 | 4,530 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $62,080 | +16% | $49,240 | $80,800 | 260 |
| 16 | Iowa | $61,110 | +15% | $52,360 | $65,070 | Not published |
| 17 | Massachusetts | $60,950 | +14% | $37,300 | $81,560 | 560 |
| 18 | Maryland | $60,530 | +13% | $47,000 | $93,430 | 750 |
| 19 | Ohio | $60,280 | +13% | $38,050 | $93,160 | 2,370 |
| 20 | South Dakota | $60,140 | +13% | $49,220 | $74,660 | 130 |
| 21 | Colorado | $58,810 | +10% | $43,610 | $72,650 | 920 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $58,080 | +9% | $49,290 | $73,440 | 160 |
| 23 | Maine | $57,020 | +7% | $45,650 | $89,100 | 250 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $56,010 | +5% | $44,320 | $75,400 | 520 |
| 25 | Montana | $55,920 | +5% | $36,510 | $78,350 | 260 |
| 26 | Vermont | $54,830 | +3% | $49,920 | $62,060 | 70 |
| 27 | Michigan | $54,220 | +2% | $38,510 | $74,360 | 1,720 |
| 28 | Delaware | $54,020 | +1% | $31,200 | $83,200 | 150 |
| 29 | Arizona | $52,140 | −2% | $47,270 | $75,740 | 170 |
| 30 | Nevada | $51,400 | −4% | $38,610 | $79,140 | Not published |
| 31 | West Virginia | $51,230 | −4% | $41,130 | $77,920 | 210 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $50,500 | −5% | $42,300 | $72,890 | 840 |
| 33 | Indiana | $50,380 | −6% | $39,630 | $91,350 | 910 |
| 34 | Kansas | $49,070 | −8% | $40,150 | $70,670 | 540 |
| 35 | Utah | $48,860 | −8% | $45,240 | $70,840 | 410 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $48,450 | −9% | $37,440 | $73,180 | 350 |
| 37 | Virginia | $48,060 | −10% | $38,130 | $60,410 | 1,660 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $47,820 | −10% | $37,860 | $61,310 | 1,940 |
| 39 | Texas | $47,060 | −12% | $37,280 | $61,660 | 3,940 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $46,950 | −12% | $38,050 | $57,760 | 630 |
| 41 | Florida | $46,840 | −12% | $37,910 | $60,780 | 2,740 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $46,760 | −12% | $36,620 | $58,910 | 550 |
| 43 | Georgia | $46,100 | −14% | $37,870 | $59,130 | 1,270 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $45,880 | −14% | $37,130 | $60,180 | 990 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $45,760 | −14% | $39,340 | $63,260 | 390 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $45,660 | −14% | $29,540 | $64,600 | 110 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $44,010 | −17% | $35,890 | $50,650 | 490 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $42,510 | −20% | $36,300 | $60,300 | 1,730 |
| 49 | Alabama | $41,880 | −21% | $31,990 | $58,140 | 700 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $37,030 | −31% | $30,250 | $51,280 | 470 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary questions
Which state pays paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators the most?
Hawaii, with a median of $111,360 a year (+109% vs. the national median of $53,340). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $37,030 a year (−31% vs. national).
Where do most paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work?
New York has the most jobs, about 4,530, with a median of $62,760.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.