Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Tennessee
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Tennessee earn a median of $42,510 a year ($20.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,300 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $53,340. Tennessee ranks 48th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.53 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| 25th percentile | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Median | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| 75th percentile | $51,740 | $24.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Average (mean) | $45,850 | $22.04 |
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 | $3,542.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,771.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,635 |
| Weekly | $817.50 |
| Hourly | $20.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $50,280 | 50 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,440 | 530 |
| Knoxville, TN | $40,540 | 270 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,120 | 200 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $38,510 | 90 |
| Cleveland, TN | $35,940 | 40 |
| Johnson City, TN | $35,710 | 80 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| Electrician | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Carpenter | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Roofer | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $56,750 | $27.29 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $63,850 | $30.70 |
| Glazier | $48,610 | $23.37 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Tennessee is $42,510 a year, or $20.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Tennessee earn at least $60,300 a year. The top 25% earn $51,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,300 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $37,770 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Tennessee?
About 1,730 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.