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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in California

How much does a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in California?

Last updated: 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$79,460
Median Annual Salary
$90,010
Mean Salary
$79,460
Median Salary
$38.20
Hourly Rate
1,920 people work as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California

About This Job: Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring
3.62
Operation and Control
3.38
Monitoring
3.25
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0

Key Knowledge Areas

Building and Construction
3.65
Mechanical
3.26
Mathematics
2.77
Physics
2.74
Public Safety and Security
2.74
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma (41.0% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California

Salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California range from $51,540 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $132,240 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $60,720 and $123,470.

Median $79,460
P10: $51,540 P25: $60,720 P75: $123,470 P90: $132,240
10th
$51,540
25th
$60,720
Median
$79,460
75th
$123,470
90th
$132,240
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $51,540 $24.78 $4,295
25th Percentile $60,720 $29.19 $5,060
Median (50th) $79,460 $38.20 $6,621
75th Percentile $123,470 $59.36 $10,289
90th Percentile (Experienced) $132,240 $63.58 $11,020

Note: The mean (average) salary of $90,010 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

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What does this salary really buy? See Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in California adjusted for cost of living →

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary by State

Compare Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

Hawaii $108,570 Alaska $97,670 Wisconsin $79,440 Washington $77,180 Missouri $70,520 Minnesota $68,920 Illinois $66,130 New York $63,860 Rhode Island $61,440 Ohio $61,290

View all 50 states →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in California?
The median annual salary for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California is $79,460 as of 2024. The average (mean) salary is $90,010.
What is the salary range for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California?
Salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California range from $51,540 at the 10th percentile to $132,240 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50%% earn between $60,720 and $123,470.
What is the starting salary for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California?
Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators positions in California typically start around $51,540 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $60,720 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California?
According to 2024 BLS data, approximately 1,920 people are employed as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in California is approximately $38.20 per hour.

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2024 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS