Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $38,510 a year ($18.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,660 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $53,340. Pay here is 9% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $42,510. There are 0.33 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| 25th percentile | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Median | $38,510 | $18.52 |
| 75th percentile | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Average (mean) | $43,760 | $21.04 |
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 | $3,209.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,604.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,481.15 |
| Weekly | $740.58 |
| Hourly | $18.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $50,280 | 50 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,440 | 530 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $46,120 | 770 |
| Savannah, GA | $43,790 | 90 |
| Knoxville, TN | $40,540 | 270 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,120 | 200 |
| Cleveland, TN | $35,940 | 40 |
| Johnson City, TN | $35,710 | 80 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| Electrician | $72,330 | $34.77 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,720 | $28.23 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| Carpenter | $50,760 | $24.41 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,660 | $33.49 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $61,880 | $29.75 |
| Roofer | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,170 | $21.72 |
| Glazier | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Pipelayer | $44,210 | $21.26 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $36,740 | $17.67 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $38,510 a year, or $18.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $57,660 a year. The top 25% earn $49,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,120 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $37,130 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 90 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.