Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Montana
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Montana earn a median of $55,920 a year ($26.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,350 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $53,340. Montana ranks 25th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.50 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,510 | $17.56 |
| 25th percentile | $48,890 | $23.50 |
| Median | $55,920 | $26.89 |
| 75th percentile | $68,180 | $32.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Average (mean) | $58,300 | $28.03 |
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 | $4,660 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,330 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,150.77 |
| Weekly | $1,075.38 |
| Hourly | $26.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $50,650 | 40 |
| Billings, MT | $48,890 | 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.
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,830 | $23.96 |
| Carpenter | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Electrician | $76,760 | $36.90 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $79,960 | $38.44 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $58,290 | $28.03 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,620 | $29.63 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Glazier | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Roofer | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $60,140 | $28.92 |
| Stonemason | $61,040 | $29.35 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Montana is $55,920 a year, or $26.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Montana?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Montana earn at least $78,350 a year. The top 25% earn $68,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,510 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $48,890 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Montana?
About 260 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.