Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Minnesota
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Minnesota earn a median of $68,180 a year ($32.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,920 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $53,340. Minnesota ranks 11th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.28 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| 25th percentile | $61,930 | $29.78 |
| Median | $68,180 | $32.78 |
| 75th percentile | $80,450 | $38.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,920 | $48.04 |
| Average (mean) | $71,850 | $34.54 |
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 | $5,681.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,840.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,622.31 |
| Weekly | $1,311.15 |
| Hourly | $32.78 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $82,730 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $72,080 | 330 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $68,180 | 50 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $58,120 | 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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Carpenter | $64,930 | $31.22 |
| Electrician | $78,160 | $37.58 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $94,410 | $45.39 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $72,970 | $35.08 |
| Roofer | $74,490 | $35.81 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $54,350 | $26.13 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $61,290 | $29.46 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $95,220 | $45.78 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $95,320 | $45.83 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $70,560 | $33.92 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Minnesota is $68,180 a year, or $32.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Minnesota earn at least $99,920 a year. The top 25% earn $80,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,310 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $61,930 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Minnesota?
About 830 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.