Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

SOC code 47-2071 · O*NET-SOC 47-2071.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$53,340

a year

Hourly

$25.64

per hour

10th$38,230Median$53,34090th$92,230

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$59,000

$28.37 per hour

Middle 50%

$45,610 – $64,720

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$38,230 – $92,230

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

41,820

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $38,230; $18.38/hr
25th percentile: $45,610; $21.93/hr
Median percentile: $53,340; $25.64/hr
75th percentile: $64,720; $31.12/hr
90th percentile: $92,230; $44.34/hr

What do 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. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 41% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Less than a High School Diploma41%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)38%
Post-Secondary Certificate21%

Common questions

How much does a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn?

The national median is $53,340 a year. The full range runs from $38,230 at the 10th percentile to $92,230 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Monitoring3.3/5
Critical Thinking3.0/5
Active Listening2.9/5
Speaking2.9/5

Knowledge areas

Building and Construction3.6/5
Mechanical3.3/5
Mathematics2.8/5
Physics2.7/5
Public Safety and Security2.7/5
Customer and Personal Service2.7/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Coordination, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Equipment Maintenance.