Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in New Mexico
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in New Mexico earn a median of $45,880 a year ($22.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 990 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,180 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $53,340. New Mexico ranks 44th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 1.1 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| 25th percentile | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Median | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| 75th percentile | $51,430 | $24.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,180 | $28.93 |
| Average (mean) | $47,700 | $22.93 |
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 | $3,823.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,911.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,764.62 |
| Weekly | $882.31 |
| Hourly | $22.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico 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 Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $50,040 | 50 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $45,550 | 260 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $45,450 | 100 |
| Farmington, NM | $43,780 | 60 |
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 Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Electrician | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Carpenter | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,440 | $29.54 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $49,230 | $23.67 |
| Roofer | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $53,900 | $25.91 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| Glazier | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Boilermaker | $101,200 | $48.66 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 Mexico?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in New Mexico is $45,880 a year, or $22.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in New Mexico earn at least $60,180 a year. The top 25% earn $51,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,130 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $39,960 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in New Mexico?
About 990 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.