Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in California
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California earn a median of $83,130 a year ($39.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,120 for the top 10%. That is 56% higher than the national median of $53,340. California ranks 5th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.08 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.29). The average (mean) salary is $94,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,980 | $27.39 |
| 25th percentile | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Median | $83,130 | $39.97 |
| 75th percentile | $126,640 | $60.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,120 | $62.56 |
| Average (mean) | $94,440 | $45.40 |
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 | $6,927.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,463.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,197.31 |
| Weekly | $1,598.65 |
| Hourly | $39.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $126,640 | 310 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $104,530 | 260 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $64,870 | 110 |
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.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in California is $83,130 a year, or $39.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in California?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in California earn at least $130,120 a year. The top 25% earn $126,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,980 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $64,270 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in California?
About 1,400 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.