Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Virginia
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Virginia earn a median of $48,060 a year ($23.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,410 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $53,340. Virginia ranks 37th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.40 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| 25th percentile | $43,590 | $20.96 |
| Median | $48,060 | $23.10 |
| 75th percentile | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,410 | $29.04 |
| Average (mean) | $49,640 | $23.86 |
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 | $4,005 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,002.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,848.46 |
| Weekly | $924.23 |
| Hourly | $23.10 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $58,800 | 980 |
| Richmond, VA | $49,880 | 250 |
| Roanoke, VA | $47,620 | 160 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $47,530 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $46,320 | 340 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $43,560 | $20.94 |
| Electrician | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| Carpenter | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $52,220 | $25.10 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,930 | $24.49 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $55,840 | $26.84 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $54,680 | $26.29 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Roofer | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Pipelayer | $48,700 | $23.41 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Virginia is $48,060 a year, or $23.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Virginia earn at least $60,410 a year. The top 25% earn $57,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,130 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $43,590 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Virginia?
About 1,660 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.