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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Median annual salary $49,670 -3.8% vs national
Median hourly $23.88
10th percentile $34,050
90th percentile $63,050
Employed locally 570
National median $51,650

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

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

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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
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Nashville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,050
    25th
    $45,610
    50th (median)
    $49,670
    75th
    $57,570
    90th
    $63,050

    Nashville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,499 2023 • Census ACS
    Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary vs area income 60% Median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary is 40% 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
    Clarksville, TN-KY $49,020
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $48,810
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $48,090
    Johnson City, TN $45,990
    Knoxville, TN $45,150
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $40,210

    Related occupations in Nashville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $45,540
    Electricians $61,130
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $76,470
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $49,640
    Carpenters $53,730
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $59,870

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Nashville, TN is $23.88, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.58 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Nashville, TN is 3.8% 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 Nashville?

    Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $34,050 per year in Nashville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,610.