Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $45,610 -11.7% vs national
Median hourly $21.93
10th percentile $36,340
90th percentile $57,310
Employed locally 1,180
National median $51,650

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

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

Full tool →
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,340
    25th
    $39,890
    50th (median)
    $45,610
    75th
    $53,440
    90th
    $57,310

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary vs area income 57% Median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary is 43% 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
    Odessa, TX $52,000
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $49,320
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $48,250
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $48,080
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $46,580
    College Station-Bryan, TX $45,100

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $38,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $75,150
    Electricians $59,180
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $50,510
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $60,230
    Carpenters $48,910

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Houston, TX is $21.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.15 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Houston, TX is 11.7% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,340 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,890.