Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Texas
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Texas earn a median of $47,060 a year ($22.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,940 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,660 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $53,340. Texas ranks 39th 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 $48,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| 25th percentile | $41,620 | $20.01 |
| Median | $47,060 | $22.63 |
| 75th percentile | $54,610 | $26.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| Average (mean) | $48,940 | $23.53 |
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 | $3,921.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,960.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,810 |
| Weekly | $905 |
| Hourly | $22.63 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $54,130 | 80 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $49,740 | 940 |
| Odessa, TX | $49,700 | 50 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $48,720 | 500 |
| Lubbock, TX | $47,340 | 40 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $46,960 | 330 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $46,790 | 870 |
| Waco, TX | $45,230 | 70 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $43,450 | 60 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $42,700 | 110 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $39,360 | 160 |
| El Paso, TX | $39,340 | 110 |
| Tyler, TX | $37,640 | 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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $40,620 | $19.53 |
| Electrician | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Carpenter | $48,900 | $23.51 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $52,240 | $25.12 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $54,240 | $26.08 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Glazier | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Roofer | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $48,240 | $23.19 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Texas is $47,060 a year, or $22.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Texas?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Texas earn at least $61,660 a year. The top 25% earn $54,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,280 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $41,620 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Texas?
About 3,940 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.