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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Iowa
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$61,110
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.5% vs 2024
$60,140
Mean Salary
$61,110
Median Salary
$29.38
Hourly Rate
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary by percentile in Iowa
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Iowa earn a median salary of $61,110 per year ($5,092/month).
This is 4.4% above the national average of $58,553.
Iowa ranks #16 out of 50 states for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay.
Salaries increased by 1.5% compared to 2024.
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)
Salary Range: Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Iowa
Salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Iowa range from $52,360 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $65,070 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $57,100 and $61,130.
Median $61,110
P10: $52,360P25: $57,100P75: $61,130P90: $65,070
10th
$52,360
25th
$57,100
Median
$61,110
75th
$61,130
90th
$65,070
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$52,360
$25.17
$4,363
25th Percentile
$57,100
$27.45
$4,758
Median (50th)
$61,110
$29.38
$5,092
75th Percentile
$61,130
$29.39
$5,094
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$65,070
$31.28
$5,422
Note: The mean (average) salary of $60,140 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#16
Iowa ranks #16 of 50 states
$58,553
National avg. for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in Iowa?
The median annual salary for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Iowa is $61,110 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $60,140.
What is the salary range for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Iowa?
Salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Iowa range from $52,360 at the 10th percentile to $65,070 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $57,100 and $61,130.
What is the starting salary for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Iowa?
Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators positions in Iowa typically start around $52,360 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $57,100 (25th percentile).
What is the hourly rate for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Iowa is approximately $29.38 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 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.
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