Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Johnson City, TN
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn a median of $35,710 a year ($17.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,220 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $53,340. Pay here is 16% 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 $43,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Johnson City, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,330 | $16.99 |
| 25th percentile | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| Median | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| 75th percentile | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Average (mean) | $43,010 | $20.68 |
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 | $2,975.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,487.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,373.46 |
| Weekly | $686.73 |
| Hourly | $17.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,710 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 |
| Cleveland, TN | $35,940 | 40 |
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 Johnson City, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $41,150 | $19.79 |
| Electrician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Carpenter | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Pipelayer | $41,800 | $20.10 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $45,780 | $22.01 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $50,720 | $24.39 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Johnson City, 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 Johnson City, TN?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Johnson City, TN metro area is $35,710 a year, or $17.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Johnson City, TN?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn at least $55,220 a year. The top 25% earn $54,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Johnson City, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,330 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $35,690 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Johnson City, TN?
About 80 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in the Johnson City, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.