Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary
The median pay for a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Hawaii is $111,360/year ($53.54/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $124K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.17), so that salary is closer to $101,080 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,240/month, about 32.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Hawaii. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $111K get you in Hawaii?
About paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
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What this looks like in Hawaii
Hawaii sits well above the national pay line for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators, local pay runs about 109% higher than the U.S. median of $53K. Rent runs $2,240/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 10% above the national average (BEA RPP 110.17), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hawaii
Entry-level paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $111K. Top earners bring in $124K or more, a $73K spread from bottom to top.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary by metro in Hawaii
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $111K | +0% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Hawaii numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Hawaii?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $111K, rent takes 34.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,240/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,000/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Hawaii?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,074/month. At HUD’s $2,240/month FMR, rent would take 73% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operator a high-paying job in Hawaii?
Local pay is 109% above the national median — $111K here vs. $53K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 10% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Hawaii compare to the national average for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators?
Hawaii pays $111K median vs. the U.S. average of $53K — that’s +109%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 110.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $101K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Hawaii?
The median is $111,360 a year, that works out to about $54 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,230, and experienced paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators can clear $123,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $111K enough to live in Hawaii?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,539/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,240/month, which eats 34.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary go in Hawaii?
Hawaii has a Regional Price Parity of 110.17 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary is worth about $101,080 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.