Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
The median pay for a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $40,010/year ($19.24/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $53K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.49), which stretches that salary to about $45,214 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,095/month — about 39.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $40K get you in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton’s Regional Price Parity (88.49). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Entry-level paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $40K. Top earners bring in $53K or more, a $16K 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 |
| Massachusetts | $60K | +17% | 1,050 |
| Arizona | $60K | +17% | 210 |
| Iowa | $60K | +17% | 170 |
| Connecticut | $60K | +16% | 160 |
| Montana | $59K | +14% | 240 |
| Wyoming | $59K | +14% | 110 |
| Maryland | $59K | +14% | 760 |
| South Dakota | $58K | +12% | 180 |
| West Virginia | $57K | +11% | 390 |
| Indiana | $57K | +10% | 860 |
| Pennsylvania | $57K | +10% | 510 |
| Michigan | $55K | +6% | 2,160 |
| Maine | $54K | +5% | 370 |
| Vermont | $54K | +4% | 80 |
| Kansas | $54K | +4% | 660 |
| Nebraska | $49K | -5% | 280 |
| Tennessee | $49K | -6% | 1,550 |
| Idaho | $48K | -7% | 110 |
| New Jersey | $48K | -7% | 850 |
| Delaware | $48K | -7% | 240 |
| Utah | $48K | -7% | 540 |
| North Carolina | $48K | -8% | 1,310 |
| Oklahoma | $47K | -9% | 480 |
| Virginia | $47K | -9% | 2,180 |
| Texas | $47K | -9% | 5,140 |
| New Mexico | $46K | -11% | 1,060 |
| Kentucky | $46K | -12% | 150 |
| South Carolina | $45K | -12% | 590 |
| Florida | $45K | -13% | 3,000 |
| Louisiana | $45K | -13% | 230 |
| Georgia | $45K | -14% | 1,440 |
| Arkansas | $41K | -21% | 510 |
| Alabama | $39K | -24% | 740 |
| Mississippi | $38K | -25% | 570 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median is $40,010 a year, that works out to about $19 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,390, and experienced paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators can clear $53,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $40K enough to live in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,699/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,095/month, which eats 40.6% 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton has a Regional Price Parity of 88.49 (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 $45,214 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.