Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Wisconsin
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Wisconsin earn a median of $69,020 a year ($33.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 960 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,150 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $53,340. Wisconsin ranks 10th of 50 states for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators pay. There are 0.33 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,570, close to the median.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 25th percentile | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Median | $69,020 | $33.18 |
| 75th percentile | $91,230 | $43.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,150 | $44.30 |
| Average (mean) | $68,570 | $32.97 |
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 | $5,751.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,875.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,654.62 |
| Weekly | $1,327.31 |
| Hourly | $33.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $93,610 | 80 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $83,370 | 140 |
| Appleton, WI | $78,260 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $72,080 | 330 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $68,180 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $50,390 | 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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| Electrician | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| Carpenter | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $81,210 | $39.04 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $75,280 | $36.19 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,090 | $24.08 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $77,760 | $37.38 |
| Roofer | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $92,820 | $44.63 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $52,860 | $25.42 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,520 | $23.81 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Wisconsin is $69,020 a year, or $33.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Wisconsin earn at least $92,150 a year. The top 25% earn $91,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,440 a year, and a quarter of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators earn $50,380 or less.
How many paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators work in Wisconsin?
About 960 paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.