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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

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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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $53,340/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$38,230$92,230

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +3.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 4,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringCritical ThinkingRepairingCoordinationTroubleshootingActive ListeningSpeakingEquipment Maintenance
Top knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPublic Safety and SecurityPhysicsCustomer and Personal ServiceChemistryDesign
Core tasks

• Start machine, engage clutch, and push and move levers to guide machine along forms or guidelines and to control the operation of machine attachments.

• Fill tanks, hoppers, or machines with paving materials.

• Control paving machines to push dump trucks and to maintain a constant flow of asphalt or other material into hoppers or screeds.

• Observe distribution of paving material to adjust machine settings or material flow, and indicate low spots for workers to add material.

• Coordinate truck dumping.

• Drive machines onto truck trailers, and drive trucks to transport machines and material to and from job sites.

• Inspect, clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using mechanics' hand tools, or report malfunctions to supervisors.

• Set up and tear down equipment.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?

The median pay for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators is $53,340 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?

Employment for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators is projected to change +3.2% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?

About 4,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.