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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $40,010 -22.5% vs national
Median hourly $19.24
10th percentile $37,390
90th percentile $53,360
Employed locally 30
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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Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,390
    25th
    $38,810
    50th (median)
    $40,010
    75th
    $48,770
    90th
    $53,360

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary vs area income 66% Median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary is 34% 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 Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electricians $52,620
    Construction Laborers $39,970
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $65,540
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $49,150
    Carpenters $41,600
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $51,470

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Hickory, NC is $19.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.15 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Hickory, NC is 22.5% 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 Hickory?

    Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,390 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,810.