Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $49,810 -3.6% vs national
Median hourly $23.95
10th percentile $39,120
90th percentile $60,150
Employed locally 70
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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Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,120
    25th
    $48,210
    50th (median)
    $49,810
    75th
    $60,150
    90th
    $60,150

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary vs area income 61% Median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary is 39% 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
    Anchorage, AK $97,670
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $95,430
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $66,130
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $63,410
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $61,440
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $58,770

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electricians $57,700
    Construction Laborers $44,860
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $75,640
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $58,980
    Carpenters $48,910
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $50,870

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Durham, NC is $23.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.68 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Durham, NC is 3.6% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $39,120 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,210.