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.
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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.

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.

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?

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

Where Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Are Employed

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

Related Careers
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
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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