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Occupation · SOC 47-2071

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

There are 41,820 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $53,340 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Construction & ExtractionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
41,820
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$53,340
Median pay a year
Middle half: $45,610–$64,720
3,100
Annual openings
10-year change: −0.9%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 152 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $62,780 · LCA filings 03,440$62,7800
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $58,800 · LCA filings 0980$58,8000
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $49,740 · LCA filings 0940$49,7400
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $46,790 · LCA filings 0870$46,7900
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $46,120 · LCA filings 0770$46,1200
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $80,340 · LCA filings 0740$80,3400
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $51,310 · LCA filings 0580$51,3100
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $46,810 · LCA filings 0570$46,8100
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay $48,440 · LCA filings 0530$48,4400
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $48,720 · LCA filings 0500$48,7200

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAEmployment 310 · LCA filings 0$126,6403100
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 260 · LCA filings 0$104,5302600
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 270 · LCA filings 0$96,5902700
Fort Wayne, INEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$95,510500
Madison, WIEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$93,610800

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $63,752 · Level III $74,589 · Level IV $85,426$52,915$63,752$74,589$85,426
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $53,435 · Level III $60,216 · Level IV $66,997$46,654$53,435$60,216$66,997
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $47,050 · Level III $51,730 · Level IV $56,389$42,390$47,050$51,730$56,389
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $45,032 · Level III $49,504 · Level IV $53,997$40,539$45,032$49,504$53,997
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $44,366 · Level III $48,339 · Level IV $52,291$40,414$44,366$48,339$52,291
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $66,789 · Level III $80,642 · Level IV $94,494$52,936$66,789$80,642$94,494
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $48,651 · Level III $55,494 · Level IV $62,317$41,829$48,651$55,494$62,317
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $43,763 · Level III $48,859 · Level IV $53,934$38,688$43,763$48,859$53,934
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $44,158 · Level III $48,880 · Level IV $53,581$39,458$44,158$48,880$53,581
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $47,112 · Level III $52,062 · Level IV $57,034$42,141$47,112$52,062$57,034

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Ground TransportationCIP 49.02OPT · up to 12 months52OPT · up to 12 months

See Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in every metro area

All 152 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Construction & Extraction

Construction LaborersElectriciansFirst-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersCarpentersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersOperating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsPainters, Construction and MaintenanceConstruction and Building Inspectors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology