Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Arkansas
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Arkansas earn a median of $44,010 a year ($21.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,650 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $53,340. Arkansas ranks 47th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.37 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,890 | $17.25 |
| 25th percentile | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Median | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| 75th percentile | $48,690 | $23.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Average (mean) | $44,060 | $21.18 |
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 | $3,667.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,833.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,692.69 |
| Weekly | $846.35 |
| Hourly | $21.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $47,540 | 100 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $46,550 | 140 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,120 | 200 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $37,210 | 30 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| Electrician | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Carpenter | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $46,230 | $22.23 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Roofer | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $40,090 | $19.28 |
| Glazier | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $55,100 | $26.49 |
| Pipelayer | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $43,730 | $21.03 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Arkansas is $44,010 a year, or $21.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Arkansas earn at least $50,650 a year. The top 25% earn $48,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,890 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $38,050 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Arkansas?
About 490 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.