Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $64,250 +24.4% vs national
Median hourly $30.89
10th percentile $48,160
90th percentile $128,860
Employed locally 160
National median $51,650

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

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,160
    25th
    $59,050
    50th (median)
    $64,250
    75th
    $94,500
    90th
    $128,860

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary vs area income 63% Median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary is 37% 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
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $123,470
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $95,430
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $81,360
    California $79,460
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $79,460
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $75,230

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Carpenters $73,690
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $93,710
    Construction Laborers $58,600
    Electricians $75,640
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $66,130
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $50,170

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in San Diego, CA is $30.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $52.18 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in San Diego, CA is 24.4% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $48,160 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,050.