Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Rapid City, SD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rapid City, SD

Median annual salary $53,300 +3.2% vs national
Median hourly $25.63
10th percentile $43,300
90th percentile $66,660
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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Rapid City, SD
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,300
    25th
    $49,680
    50th (median)
    $53,300
    75th
    $65,000
    90th
    $66,660

    Rapid City economic context

    Unemployment rate 1.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary vs area income 74% Median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary is 26% 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
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $60,260

    Related occupations in Rapid City, SD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Carpenters $47,230
    Electricians $57,410
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $75,260
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $55,930
    Construction Laborers $42,980
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $52,600

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Rapid City, SD is $25.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.05 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Rapid City, SD is 3.2% above 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 Rapid City?

    Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $43,300 per year in Rapid City, SD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,680.