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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator

All About Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

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

  • Place strips of material, such as cork, asphalt, or steel into joints, or place rolls of expansion-joint material on machines that automatically insert material.
  • Set up forms and lay out guidelines for curbs, according to written specifications, using string, spray paint, and concrete or water mixes.
  • Set up and tear down equipment.
  • Operate tamping machines or manually roll surfaces to compact earth fills, foundation forms, and finished road materials, according to grade specifications.
  • Fill tanks, hoppers, or machines with paving materials.
  • Start machine, engage clutch, and push and move levers to guide machine along forms or guidelines and to control the operation of machine attachments.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

  • Roadway Technician
  • Strike Off Machine Operator
  • Screed Operator
  • Paving Operator
  • Roller Operator

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.

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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.

What is the Average Salary of a Paving, Surfacing & Tamping Equipment Operator

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

What Tools 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

Education needed to be a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator:

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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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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators work in the following industries:

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Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator might also be interested in the following careers:

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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