Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Washington
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Washington earn a median of $90,530 a year ($43.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,760 for the top 10%. That is 70% higher than the national median of $53,340. Washington ranks 3rd of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $90,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,860 | $28.30 |
| 25th percentile | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| Median | $90,530 | $43.53 |
| 75th percentile | $102,000 | $49.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,760 | $57.10 |
| Average (mean) | $90,790 | $43.65 |
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 | $7,544.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,772.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,481.92 |
| Weekly | $1,740.96 |
| Hourly | $43.53 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $96,590 | 270 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $70,530 | 220 |
| Yakima, WA | $63,160 | 30 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| Construction Laborer | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| Electrician | $95,220 | $45.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $81,030 | $38.96 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Roofer | $60,640 | $29.16 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $67,750 | $32.57 |
| Taper | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Glazier | $66,860 | $32.14 |
| Pipelayer | $82,450 | $39.64 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Washington is $90,530 a year, or $43.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Washington?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Washington earn at least $118,760 a year. The top 25% earn $102,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,860 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $73,810 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Washington?
About 530 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.