Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay in California
In California, the median pay for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators is $39.97 an hour ($83,130 a year). About 1,400 people work in this job there.
That is 56% higher than the U.S. median ($53,340). California ranks 5th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $27.39 | $56,980 |
| 25% of workers | $30.90 | $64,270 |
| Half of workers (median) | $39.97 | $83,130 |
| 75% of workers | $60.89 | $126,640 |
| 90% of workers | $62.56 | $130,120 |
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $126,640 | 310 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $104,530 | 260 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $64,870 | 110 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -0.9% over ten years, little or no change · about 3,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Construction Laborers | $60,270 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 |
| Highway Maintenance Workers | $59,580 |
| Pipelayers | $76,180 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $74,500 |
| Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators | $71,170 |
| Carpenters | $75,920 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.