Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in South Dakota
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $60,140 a year ($28.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,660 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $53,340. South Dakota ranks 20th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.28 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,220 | $23.67 |
| 25th percentile | $54,830 | $26.36 |
| Median | $60,140 | $28.92 |
| 75th percentile | $69,680 | $33.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,660 | $35.89 |
| Average (mean) | $61,370 | $29.51 |
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 | $5,011.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,505.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,313.08 |
| Weekly | $1,156.54 |
| Hourly | $28.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $58,120 | 40 |
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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Electrician | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $57,050 | $27.43 |
| Roofer | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Pipelayer | $50,650 | $24.35 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in South Dakota is $60,140 a year, or $28.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in South Dakota earn at least $74,660 a year. The top 25% earn $69,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,220 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $54,830 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in South Dakota?
About 130 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.