Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $45,400 -12.1% vs national
Median hourly $21.83
10th percentile $37,530
90th percentile $54,940
Employed locally 120
National median $51,650

Compare Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Charleston, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
in
Charleston, SC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,530
    25th
    $38,090
    50th (median)
    $45,400
    75th
    $48,390
    90th
    $54,940

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary vs area income 55% Median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary is 45% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $123,470
    Hawaii $108,570
    Urban Honolulu, HI $108,570
    Champaign-Urbana, IL $98,730
    Anchorage, AK $97,670
    Alaska $97,670

    Nearby metros — Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $95,430
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $79,740
    Wisconsin $79,440
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $78,620
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $53,200
    Columbia, SC $49,410

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$43,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$76,350
    Electricians$57,220
    Carpenters$50,620
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$48,320
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$56,520

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Charleston, SC is $21.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.73 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Charleston, SC is 12.1% below the national median of $51,650. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Charleston?

    Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,530 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,090.