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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$42,510
Median Annual Salary
▼
-12.7% vs 2024
$45,850
Mean Salary
$42,510
Median Salary
$20.44
Hourly Rate
1,730 people work as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee earn a median salary of $42,510 per year ($3,542/month).
This is 27.4% below the national average of $58,553.
Tennessee ranks #48 out of 50 states for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 1,730 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries decreased by 12.7% 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 Tennessee
Salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee range from $36,300 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $60,300 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $37,770 and $51,740.
Median $42,510
P10: $36,300P25: $37,770P75: $51,740P90: $60,300
10th
$36,300
25th
$37,770
Median
$42,510
75th
$51,740
90th
$60,300
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$36,300
$17.45
$3,025
25th Percentile
$37,770
$18.16
$3,147
Median (50th)
$42,510
$20.44
$3,542
75th Percentile
$51,740
$24.88
$4,311
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$60,300
$28.99
$5,025
Note: The mean (average) salary of $45,850 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#48
Tennessee ranks #48 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 Tennessee?
The median annual salary for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee is $42,510 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $45,850.
What is the salary range for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee?
Salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee range from $36,300 at the 10th percentile to $60,300 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $37,770 and $51,740.
What is the starting salary for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators positions in Tennessee typically start around $36,300 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $37,770 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,730 people are employed as Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee is approximately $20.44 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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