Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Massachusetts
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Massachusetts earn a median of $60,950 a year ($29.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,560 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $53,340. Massachusetts ranks 17th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.15 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $64,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| 25th percentile | $55,790 | $26.82 |
| Median | $60,950 | $29.31 |
| 75th percentile | $77,940 | $37.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,560 | $39.21 |
| Average (mean) | $64,620 | $31.07 |
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 | $5,079.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,539.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,344.23 |
| Weekly | $1,172.12 |
| Hourly | $29.31 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $68,520 | 380 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $63,050 | 220 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Electrician | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| Construction Laborer | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $93,880 | $45.14 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $120,840 | $58.10 |
| Roofer | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $63,840 | $30.69 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $94,950 | $45.65 |
| Glazier | $100,810 | $48.47 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $79,280 | $38.12 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,940 | $23.53 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Massachusetts is $60,950 a year, or $29.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Massachusetts earn at least $81,560 a year. The top 25% earn $77,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,300 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $55,790 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Massachusetts?
About 560 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.