Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
The median pay for a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $80,510/year ($38.71/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $138K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $72,447 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 46.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $81K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue’s Regional Price Parity (111.13). 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, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $138K or more, a $73K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $80,510 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,840, and experienced paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators can clear $137,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,419/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month, which eats 46.2% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $72,447 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.