Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Appleton, WI
The median pay for a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Appleton, WI is $89,810/year ($43.18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $90K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.42), which stretches that salary to about $97,176 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,236/month, or 21.8% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $90K get you in Appleton?
About paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Appleton, WI
Entry-level paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $90K.Top earners bring in $90K or more - a $35K spread from bottom to top.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $109K | +110% | N/A |
| Alaska | $98K | +89% | 100 |
| California | $79K | +54% | 1,920 |
| Wisconsin | $79K | +54% | 1,480 |
| Washington | $77K | +49% | 390 |
| Missouri | $71K | +37% | 1,550 |
| District of Columbia | $70K | +36% | 180 |
| Minnesota | $69K | +33% | 1,130 |
| Illinois | $66K | +28% | 1,300 |
| New York | $64K | +24% | 4,200 |
| Rhode Island | $61K | +19% | 150 |
| Ohio | $61K | +19% | 2,220 |
| Oregon | $61K | +18% | 250 |
| New Hampshire | $61K | +18% | 310 |
| Nevada | $61K | +17% | 140 |
Track paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Appleton numbers change.
Related careers in Construction & Trades
Frequently asked questions
How much do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Appleton, WI?
The median is $89,810 a year - that works out to about $43.18 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,900, and experienced paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators can clear $89,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $90K enough to live in Appleton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,655/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,236/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 21.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary go in Appleton?
Appleton has a Regional Price Parity of 92.42 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary is worth about $97,176 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.