Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Iowa
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Iowa earn a median of $61,110 a year ($29.38 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $52,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,070 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $53,340. Iowa ranks 16th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. The average (mean) salary is $60,140, close to the median.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,360 | $25.17 |
| 25th percentile | $57,100 | $27.45 |
| Median | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| 75th percentile | $61,130 | $29.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,070 | $31.28 |
| Average (mean) | $60,140 | $28.91 |
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 | $5,092.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,546.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,350.38 |
| Weekly | $1,175.19 |
| Hourly | $29.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $44,720 | 170 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Electrician | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Carpenter | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Roofer | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| Glazier | $57,330 | $27.56 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,440 | $33.38 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Pipelayer | $53,990 | $25.96 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Iowa is $61,110 a year, or $29.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Iowa earn at least $65,070 a year. The top 25% earn $61,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,360 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $57,100 or less.