Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Cleveland, TN
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in the Cleveland, TN metro area earn a median of $35,940 a year ($17.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,440 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $53,340. Pay here is 15% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $42,510. There are 0.99 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Cleveland, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| 25th percentile | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Median | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| 75th percentile | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,440 | $26.65 |
| Average (mean) | $43,630 | $20.98 |
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 | $2,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,497.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,382.31 |
| Weekly | $691.15 |
| Hourly | $17.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,940 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $40,540 | 270 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,120 | 200 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $38,510 | 90 |
| 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 Cleveland, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $44,190 | $21.24 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,210 | $23.18 |
| Electrician | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Carpenter | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $55,130 | $26.51 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $44,460 | $21.38 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, TN
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 Cleveland, TN?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Cleveland, TN metro area is $35,940 a year, or $17.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Cleveland, TN?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Cleveland, TN metro area earn at least $55,440 a year. The top 25% earn $50,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Cleveland, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,940 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $35,940 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Cleveland, TN?
About 40 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in the Cleveland, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.