Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $48,090 -6.9% vs national
Median hourly $23.12
10th percentile $39,440
90th percentile $61,480
Employed locally 50
National median $51,650

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

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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,440
    25th
    $44,690
    50th (median)
    $48,090
    75th
    $57,800
    90th
    $61,480

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary vs area income 70% Median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary is 30% 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
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $49,670
    Clarksville, TN-KY $49,020
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $48,810
    Johnson City, TN $45,990
    Knoxville, TN $45,150
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $40,210

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electricians $58,770
    Construction Laborers $39,360
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $71,130
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $47,950
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $55,660
    Carpenters $48,480

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $23.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.72 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 6.9% 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 Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $39,440 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,690.