Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary in St. Joseph, MO-KS
The median pay for a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in St. Joseph, MO-KS is $83,980/year ($40.37/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 86.38), which stretches that salary to about $97,222 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,077/month, or 20.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $84K get you in St. Joseph?
About paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, St. Joseph, MO-KS
Entry-level paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K.Top earners bring in $99K or more - a $59K 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 |
Track paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when St. Joseph numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The median is $83,980 a year - that works out to about $40.37 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,000, and experienced paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators can clear $98,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in St. Joseph?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,354/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,077/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 20.1% 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 St. Joseph?
St. Joseph has a Regional Price Parity of 86.38 (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 $97,222 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.