Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Kentucky
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $45,660 a year ($21.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,600 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $53,340. Kentucky ranks 46th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.06 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.21). The average (mean) salary is $47,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| 25th percentile | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Median | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| 75th percentile | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,600 | $31.06 |
| Average (mean) | $47,810 | $22.99 |
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 | $3,805 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,902.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,756.15 |
| Weekly | $878.08 |
| Hourly | $21.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $60,680 | 480 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $58,840 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $50,390 | 50 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $50,280 | 50 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Electrician | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| Carpenter | $52,680 | $25.33 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $64,160 | $30.84 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,680 | $29.17 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Roofer | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Glazier | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,730 | $23.91 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Kentucky is $45,660 a year, or $21.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Kentucky earn at least $64,600 a year. The top 25% earn $49,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,540 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $40,720 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Kentucky?
About 110 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.