Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Salary
The median pay for a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in Wisconsin is $69,020/year ($33.18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $92K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.33), which stretches that salary to about $73,169 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,202/month, or 26.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Wisconsin. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $69K get you in Wisconsin?
About paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
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What this looks like in Wisconsin
Wisconsin sits well above the national pay line for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators, local pay runs about 29% higher than the U.S. median of $53K. Rent runs $1,202/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.33 (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, Wisconsin
Entry-level paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $69K. Top earners bring in $92K or more, a $55K spread from bottom to top.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators salary by metro in Wisconsin
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $94K | +36% | 80 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $83K | +21% | 140 |
| Appleton | $78K | +13% | 40 |
| Green Bay | $50K | -27% | 40 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Wisconsin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Wisconsin?
Yes — at the median salary of $69K, rent takes 26.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,202/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 Wisconsin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators typically earn — is $37K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,246/month. At HUD’s $1,202/month FMR, rent would take 54% 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 Wisconsin?
Local pay is 29% above the national median — $69K here vs. $53K nationally.
How does Wisconsin compare to the national average for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators?
Wisconsin pays $69K median vs. the U.S. average of $53K — that’s +29%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.33), the purchasing-power equivalent is $73K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators make in Wisconsin?
The median is $69,020 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,440, and experienced paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators can clear $92,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $69K enough to live in Wisconsin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,528/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,202/month, which eats 26.5% 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a Regional Price Parity of 94.33 (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 $73,169 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.