Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Alabama
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Alabama earn a median of $41,880 a year ($20.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,140 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $53,340. Alabama ranks 49th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.33 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,990 | $15.38 |
| 25th percentile | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Median | $41,880 | $20.14 |
| 75th percentile | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,140 | $27.95 |
| Average (mean) | $43,370 | $20.85 |
Half of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,490 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,745 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,610.77 |
| Weekly | $805.38 |
| Hourly | $20.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $48,840 | 80 |
| Birmingham, AL | $48,030 | 120 |
| Montgomery, AL | $40,000 | 60 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $37,340 | 100 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $36,380 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $111,360 |
| District of Columbia | $91,280 |
| Washington | $90,530 |
| Alaska | $83,520 |
| California | $83,130 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 |
| Idaho | $73,210 |
| Illinois | $73,060 |
| Missouri | $69,400 |
| Wisconsin | $69,020 |
See Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Electrician | $55,690 | $26.78 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $47,520 | $22.84 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Carpenter | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Roofer | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Pipelayer | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers | $43,640 | $20.98 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Alabama?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Alabama is $41,880 a year, or $20.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Alabama?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Alabama earn at least $58,140 a year. The top 25% earn $49,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,990 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $36,900 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Alabama?
About 700 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.