Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
SOC: 47-2071 O*NET: 47-2071.00
Median Salary
$51,650
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.
What does a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,030
10th percentile
Early Career
$44,740
25th percentile
Median
$51,650
50th percentile
Experienced
$66,060
75th percentile
Top Earners
$90,110
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,030
25th
$44,740
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$51,650
Mean: $58,660
75th
$66,060
90th
$90,110
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $52,080 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $44,740 and $66,060
- •Salary spread is 41.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 45,680 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:47,000
Top Industries
Construction77.7%
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction40.2%
Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction37.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.2%
Annual Openings:4,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)47,000
Current
2034 (Projected)48,600
+3.2%
+1,500
Employment Change
+3.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
5,140 jobs$46,8101.25x
New York
4,200 jobs$63,8601.49x
Florida
3,000 jobs$44,8101.03x
Ohio
2,220 jobs$61,2901.35x
Virginia
2,180 jobs$46,8501.81x
Michigan
2,160 jobs$54,6901.66x
California
1,920 jobs$79,4600.36x
Missouri
1,550 jobs$70,5201.79x
Tennessee
1,550 jobs$48,6901.60x
Wisconsin
1,480 jobs$79,4401.71x
Georgia
1,440 jobs$44,6001.00x
North Carolina
1,310 jobs$47,6200.90x
Illinois
1,300 jobs$66,1300.72x
Colorado
1,260 jobs$53,4301.47x
Minnesota
1,130 jobs$68,9201.30x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
90%
#3
Monitoring
80%
#4
Troubleshooting
70%
#5
Repairing
60%
#6
Coordination
50%
#7
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.5
90%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.5
70%
Repairing
intermediate3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.5
50%
Critical Thinking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance90%
abilities
4.5/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance50%
skills
2.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Helpers--Extraction Workers70%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers70%
5 shared skills
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators70%
5 shared skills
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood63%
5 shared skills
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders60%
5 shared skills
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners60%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Repairing
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Troubleshooting
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (5)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Start machine, engage clutch, and push and move levers to guide machine along forms or guidelines and to control the operation of machine attachments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Inspect, clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using mechanics' hand tools, or report malfunctions to supervisors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Operate machines to spread, smooth, level, or steel-reinforce stone, concrete, or asphalt on road beds.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Operate oil distributors, loaders, chip spreaders, dump trucks, and snow plows.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Coordinate truck dumping.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination88% perform92%
6
Set up and tear down equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Operate tamping machines or manually roll surfaces to compact earth fills, foundation forms, and finished road materials, according to grade specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution82% perform88%
8
Shovel blacktop.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Drive machines onto truck trailers, and drive trucks to transport machines and material to and from job sites.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Observe distribution of paving material to adjust machine settings or material flow, and indicate low spots for workers to add material.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.06
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.04
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.90
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.83
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.78
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.70
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.1
Dependability
4.0
Integrity
3.9
Independence
3.8
Self-Control
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.7
Stress Tolerance
3.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.5
Cooperation
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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