Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Pennsylvania
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Pennsylvania earn a median of $56,010 a year ($26.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,400 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $53,340. Pennsylvania ranks 24th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.09 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.32). The average (mean) salary is $56,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| 25th percentile | $48,720 | $23.42 |
| Median | $56,010 | $26.93 |
| 75th percentile | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,400 | $36.25 |
| Average (mean) | $56,370 | $27.10 |
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 | $4,667.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,333.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,154.23 |
| Weekly | $1,077.12 |
| Hourly | $26.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, PA | $59,160 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $54,810 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $50,860 | 410 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $49,610 | 100 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Carpenter | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Electrician | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Roofer | $55,710 | $26.79 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $82,970 | $39.89 |
| Glazier | $58,810 | $28.27 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $47,760 | $22.96 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Pennsylvania is $56,010 a year, or $26.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Pennsylvania earn at least $75,400 a year. The top 25% earn $63,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,320 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $48,720 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Pennsylvania?
About 520 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.