Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Michigan
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Michigan earn a median of $54,220 a year ($26.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,360 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $53,340. Michigan ranks 27th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.39 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 $54,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,510 | $18.52 |
| 25th percentile | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Median | $54,220 | $26.07 |
| 75th percentile | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,360 | $35.75 |
| Average (mean) | $54,880 | $26.38 |
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 | $4,518.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,259.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,085.38 |
| Weekly | $1,042.69 |
| Hourly | $26.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $59,910 | 60 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $57,510 | 60 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $51,310 | 580 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $49,450 | 70 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $49,050 | 60 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $46,550 | 180 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Electrician | $76,270 | $36.67 |
| Carpenter | $61,680 | $29.66 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $80,190 | $38.56 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,690 | $30.14 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $64,490 | $31.01 |
| Roofer | $59,530 | $28.62 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Glazier | $52,770 | $25.37 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $58,440 | $28.10 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $47,950 | $23.05 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Michigan is $54,220 a year, or $26.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Michigan?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Michigan earn at least $74,360 a year. The top 25% earn $62,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,510 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $45,420 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Michigan?
About 1,720 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.