Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Learn more
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in South Dakota
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$60,140
Median Annual Salary
▲
+4.4% vs 2024
$61,370
Mean Salary
$60,140
Median Salary
$28.91
Hourly Rate
130 people work as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary by percentile in South Dakota
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn a median salary of $60,140 per year ($5,011/month).
This is 2.7% above the national average of $58,553.
South Dakota ranks #20 out of 50 states for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 130 people work in this occupation across South Dakota.
Salaries increased by 4.4% 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)
Salary Range: Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota
Salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota range from $49,220 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $74,660 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $54,830 and $69,680.
Median $60,140
P10: $49,220P25: $54,830P75: $69,680P90: $74,660
10th
$49,220
25th
$54,830
Median
$60,140
75th
$69,680
90th
$74,660
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$49,220
$23.66
$4,101
25th Percentile
$54,830
$26.36
$4,569
Median (50th)
$60,140
$28.91
$5,011
75th Percentile
$69,680
$33.50
$5,806
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$74,660
$35.89
$6,221
Note: The mean (average) salary of $61,370 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#20
South Dakota ranks #20 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 South Dakota?
The median annual salary for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota is $60,140 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $61,370.
What is the salary range for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
Salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota range from $49,220 at the 10th percentile to $74,660 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $54,830 and $69,680.
What is the starting salary for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators positions in South Dakota typically start around $49,220 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $54,830 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 130 people are employed as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota.
What is the hourly rate for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in South Dakota is approximately $28.91 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.
We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze site traffic, and serve relevant ads.
You can choose which categories to allow. For details, see our
Privacy Policy and
Cookie List.