Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Rhode Island
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Rhode Island earn a median of $63,060 a year ($30.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,530 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $53,340. Rhode Island ranks 13th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.31 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,390 | $23.26 |
| 25th percentile | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Median | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| 75th percentile | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Average (mean) | $67,140 | $32.28 |
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 | $5,255 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,627.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,425.38 |
| Weekly | $1,212.69 |
| Hourly | $30.32 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Electrician | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| Construction Laborer | $57,240 | $27.52 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $76,470 | $36.77 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $41,590 | $20.00 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $65,100 | $31.30 |
| Roofer | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $98,320 | $47.27 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,950 | $30.26 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $79,280 | $38.12 |
| Glazier | $61,650 | $29.64 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $77,150 | $37.09 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Rhode Island is $63,060 a year, or $30.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Rhode Island earn at least $85,530 a year. The top 25% earn $77,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,390 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $59,410 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Rhode Island?
About 160 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.