Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary
The median pay for a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Missouri is $69,400/year ($33.37/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $78,004 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 24.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $69K get you in Missouri?
About paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
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What this looks like in Missouri
Missouri sits well above the national pay line for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators, local pay runs about 30% higher than the U.S. median of $53K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,097/month, 24.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Missouri offers a genuinely strong financial position for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operatorss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri
Entry-level paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $69K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $56K spread from bottom to top.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary by metro in Missouri
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $77K | +11% | 480 |
| St. Joseph | $75K | +8% | 70 |
| Kansas City | $66K | -5% | 500 |
| Jefferson City | $61K | -12% | 150 |
| Springfield | $47K | -32% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $69K, rent takes 24.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators typically earn — is $42K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,545/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 Missouri?
Local pay is 30% above the national median — $69K here vs. $53K nationally.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators?
Missouri pays $69K median vs. the U.S. average of $53K — that’s +30%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $78K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Missouri?
The median is $69,400 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,410, and experienced paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators can clear $98,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $69K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,558/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 24.1% 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 Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (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 $78,004 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.