Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $42,690 -17.3% vs national
Median hourly $20.53
10th percentile $37,100
90th percentile $59,830
Employed locally 40
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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Wilmington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,100
    25th
    $39,130
    50th (median)
    $42,690
    75th
    $50,750
    90th
    $59,830

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 2023 • Census ACS
    Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary vs area income 58% Median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary is 42% 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
    Anchorage, AK $97,670
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $95,430
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $66,130
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $63,410
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $61,440
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $58,770

    Related occupations in Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $43,550
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $63,950
    Electricians $50,210
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $48,200
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $48,770
    Carpenters $48,340

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Wilmington, NC is $20.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.38 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary in Wilmington, NC is 17.3% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,100 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,130.