Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $39,120 a year ($18.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,600 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $53,340. Pay here is 8% 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 $45,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| 25th percentile | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Median | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| 75th percentile | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,600 | $29.13 |
| Average (mean) | $45,520 | $21.89 |
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 | $3,260 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,630 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,504.62 |
| Weekly | $752.31 |
| Hourly | $18.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,120 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 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $47,540 | 100 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $46,550 | 140 |
| Jackson, MS | $46,430 | 60 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $45,260 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $40,540 | 270 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $38,510 | 90 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $37,210 | 30 |
| 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Electrician | $60,890 | $29.27 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,690 | $28.22 |
| Carpenter | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $53,870 | $25.90 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Roofer | $46,480 | $22.34 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $50,390 | $24.23 |
| Glazier | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $45,900 | $22.07 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $39,120 a year, or $18.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $60,600 a year. The top 25% earn $51,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,230 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $38,230 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 200 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.