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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator

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What is a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator?

Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator Definition 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.

Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator Responsibilities

  • Set up forms and lay out guidelines for curbs, according to written specifications, using string, spray paint, and concrete or water mixes.
  • Light burners or start heating units of machines, and regulate screed temperatures and asphalt flow rates.
  • Start machine, engage clutch, and push and move levers to guide machine along forms or guidelines and to control the operation of machine attachments.
  • Inspect, clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using mechanics' hand tools, or report malfunctions to supervisors.
  • Operate machines that clean or cut expansion joints in concrete or asphalt and that rout out cracks in pavement.
  • Install dies, cutters, and extensions to screeds onto machines, using hand tools.

What Every Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator Should Know

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

  • Laborer
  • Crew Team Member
  • Asphalt Screed Operator
  • Equipment Operator (EO)
  • Paver Operator

Is There Going to be Demand for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?

There were about 51,900 jobs for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator in 2016 (in the United States). 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. There will be an estimated 6,200 positions for Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator per year.

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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.

How Much Does a Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator Make?

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make between $27,260 and $70,710 a year.

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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators who work in Oregon, Illinois, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.

How much do Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators make 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

Tools & Technologies Used by Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators:

  • 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

What kind of Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator requirements are there?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator?

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Where Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Are Employed

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Those interested in being a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator may also be interested in:

Career changers with experience as a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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