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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in North Carolina

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in North Carolina?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$47,820
Median Annual Salary
▲ +0.4% vs 2024
$49,230
Mean Salary
$47,820
Median Salary
$22.99
Hourly Rate
1,940 people work as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary by percentile in North Carolina

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in North Carolina — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina.10thBottom 10% earn less than $37,860$37,86025th25% earn less than $40,630$40,630MedianHalf earn more than $47,820$47,82075th75% earn less than $53,890$53,89090thTop 10% earn more than $61,310$61,310

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina earn a median salary of $47,820 per year ($3,985/month). This is 18.3% below the national average of $58,553. North Carolina ranks #38 out of 50 states for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay. Approximately 1,940 people work in this occupation across North Carolina. Salaries increased by 0.4% 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)

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

Salary Range: Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina

Salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina range from $37,860 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $61,310 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $40,630 and $53,890.

Median $47,820
P10: $37,860 P25: $40,630 P75: $53,890 P90: $61,310
10th
$37,860
25th
$40,630
Median
$47,820
75th
$53,890
90th
$61,310
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $37,860 $18.20 $3,155
25th Percentile $40,630 $19.53 $3,385
Median (50th) $47,820 $22.99 $3,985
75th Percentile $53,890 $25.91 $4,490
90th Percentile (Experienced) $61,310 $29.48 $5,109

Note: The mean (average) salary of $49,230 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#38
North Carolina ranks #38 of 50 states
$58,553
National avg. for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
-18.3%
vs. national average
Below Average

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

How much do you actually take home? See Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators take-home pay in North Carolina after taxes →

Explore Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Data in North Carolina

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary by State

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

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in North Carolina?
The median annual salary for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina is $47,820 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $49,230.
What is the salary range for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina?
Salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina range from $37,860 at the 10th percentile to $61,310 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $40,630 and $53,890.
What is the starting salary for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina?
Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators positions in North Carolina typically start around $37,860 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $40,630 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,940 people are employed as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina.
What is the hourly rate for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in North Carolina is approximately $22.99 per hour.

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Data Source & Methodology

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.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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