Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Albuquerque, NM
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $45,550 a year ($21.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,950 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $53,340. Pay here is 1% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $45,880. There are 0.64 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,160 | $17.86 |
| 25th percentile | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Median | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| 75th percentile | $51,430 | $24.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Average (mean) | $47,930 | $23.04 |
Half of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,795.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,897.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,751.92 |
| Weekly | $875.96 |
| Hourly | $21.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $50,040 | 50 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $45,450 | 100 |
| Farmington, NM | $43,780 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $111,360 |
| District of Columbia | $91,280 |
| Washington | $90,530 |
| Alaska | $83,520 |
| California | $83,130 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 |
| Idaho | $73,210 |
| Illinois | $73,060 |
| Missouri | $69,400 |
| Wisconsin | $69,020 |
See Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| Electrician | $59,120 | $28.43 |
| Carpenter | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $51,160 | $24.59 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Roofer | $45,780 | $22.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,210 | $22.21 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $54,620 | $26.26 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Glazier | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,260 | $23.20 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $45,550 a year, or $21.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $59,950 a year. The top 25% earn $51,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,160 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $45,110 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 260 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.