Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in New Jersey
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in New Jersey earn a median of $50,500 a year ($24.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 840 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,890 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $53,340. New Jersey ranks 32nd of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.20 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $56,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,300 | $20.34 |
| 25th percentile | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Median | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| 75th percentile | $59,600 | $28.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,890 | $35.05 |
| Average (mean) | $56,050 | $26.95 |
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 | $4,208.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,104.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,942.31 |
| Weekly | $971.15 |
| Hourly | $24.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $62,780 | 3,440 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $54,810 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $50,860 | 410 |
| Vineland, NJ | $48,250 | 40 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $47,230 | 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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Carpenter | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| Electrician | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $78,240 | $37.61 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $89,660 | $43.11 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $92,840 | $44.64 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,410 | $29.52 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| Roofer | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $75,080 | $36.09 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $113,220 | $54.43 |
| Glazier | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $52,750 | $25.36 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in New Jersey is $50,500 a year, or $24.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in New Jersey earn at least $72,890 a year. The top 25% earn $59,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,300 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $44,450 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in New Jersey?
About 840 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.