All About Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Job Description: Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways, or equipment used for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.
A Day in the Life of a Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator
- Set up forms and lay out guidelines for curbs, according to written specifications, using string, spray paint, and concrete or water mixes.
- Drive machines onto truck trailers, and drive trucks to transport machines and material to and from job sites.
- Observe distribution of paving material to adjust machine settings or material flow, and indicate low spots for workers to add material.
- Set up and tear down equipment.
- Control traffic.
- Operate machines to spread, smooth, level, or steel-reinforce stone, concrete, or asphalt on road beds.
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Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator Needed Skills
These are the skills Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator
- Reinforcing Steel Machine Operator
- Asphalt Paving Machine Operator
- Screed Operator
- Asphalt Roller Person
- Paving Crew Member
Are There Job Opportunities for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 51,900 jobs in the United States for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,300 new jobs for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 6,200 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator are Utah, Arizona, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, New Mexico, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator
The typical yearly salary for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators is somewhere between $27,260 and $70,710.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators who work in Oregon, Illinois, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $37,450 |
| Alaska | $66,250 |
| Arizona | $41,500 |
| Arkansas | $33,930 |
| California | $58,370 |
| Colorado | $45,310 |
| Connecticut | $52,100 |
| Delaware | $44,860 |
| District of Columbia | $51,770 |
| Florida | $34,460 |
| Georgia | $36,630 |
| Idaho | $37,970 |
| Illinois | $59,540 |
| Indiana | $42,760 |
| Iowa | $44,360 |
| Kansas | $39,470 |
| Kentucky | $39,530 |
| Louisiana | $43,110 |
| Maine | $38,720 |
| Maryland | $43,140 |
| Massachusetts | $60,260 |
| Michigan | $48,190 |
| Minnesota | $55,280 |
| Mississippi | $33,400 |
| Missouri | $49,060 |
| Montana | $47,310 |
| Nebraska | $35,450 |
| Nevada | $55,890 |
| New Hampshire | $42,850 |
| New Jersey | $49,540 |
| New Mexico | $40,010 |
| New York | $59,100 |
| North Carolina | $37,040 |
| North Dakota | $49,800 |
| Ohio | $51,240 |
| Oklahoma | $36,160 |
| Oregon | $64,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,890 |
| South Carolina | $35,300 |
| South Dakota | $43,560 |
| Tennessee | $34,840 |
| Texas | $38,770 |
| Utah | $45,210 |
| Virginia | $34,170 |
| Washington | $66,520 |
| West Virginia | $38,940 |
| Wisconsin | $43,790 |
| Wyoming | $47,000 |
What Tools & Technology do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- HCSS HeavyBid
Becoming a Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator
Individuals working as a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators work in the following industries:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator may also be interested in:
- Stock Clerks- Stockroom, Warehouse, or Storage Yard
- Fallers
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Are you already one of the many Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
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