Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary
The median pay for a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Illinois is $73,060/year ($35.13/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $103K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $77,848 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 29.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in Illinois?
About paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
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What this looks like in Illinois
Illinois sits well above the national pay line for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators, local pay runs about 37% higher than the U.S. median of $53K. Rent runs $1,407/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $103K or more, a $56K spread from bottom to top.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary by metro in Illinois
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $80K | +10% | 740 |
| Springfield | $72K | -2% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
Can a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 30.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/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 Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,808/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 50% 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 Illinois?
Local pay is 37% above the national median — $73K here vs. $53K nationally.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators?
Illinois pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $53K — that’s +37%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $78K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Illinois?
The median is $73,060 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,800, and experienced paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators can clear $102,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,681/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 30.1% 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 Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (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 $77,848 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.