Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $48,590 a year ($23.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,930 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $53,340. Pay here is 2% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $47,820. There are 0.59 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,260 | $18.40 |
| 25th percentile | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Median | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| 75th percentile | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,930 | $34.58 |
| Average (mean) | $52,640 | $25.31 |
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 | $4,049.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,024.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,868.85 |
| Weekly | $934.42 |
| Hourly | $23.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $54,800 | 90 |
| Asheville, NC | $50,720 | 100 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,920 | 130 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $49,250 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $48,190 | 430 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $47,820 | 40 |
| Wilmington, NC | $47,160 | 90 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $46,320 | 340 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $44,760 | 60 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Electrician | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $60,540 | $29.10 |
| Carpenter | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| Pipelayer | $48,390 | $23.26 |
| Roofer | $50,720 | $24.39 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,570 | $24.31 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $44,860 | $21.57 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $48,590 a year, or $23.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $71,930 a year. The top 25% earn $59,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,260 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $45,910 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 440 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.