Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $45,150 -12.6% vs national
Median hourly $21.71
10th percentile $38,370
90th percentile $62,710
Employed locally 240
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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Knoxville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,370
    25th
    $39,470
    50th (median)
    $45,150
    75th
    $56,480
    90th
    $62,710

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary vs area income 65% Median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary is 35% 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $48,090
    Johnson City, TN $45,990
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $40,210

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $44,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $65,120
    Electricians $53,430
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $58,760
    Carpenters $49,480
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $48,800

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Knoxville, TN is $21.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.89 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Knoxville, TN is 12.6% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,370 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,470.