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Construction and Trades

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
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Median pay

$51,650
Median annual pay for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

3.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

4,000
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

47,000
Estimated U.S. employment for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+1,500
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Building and Construction
  2. 2Mechanical
  3. 3Mathematics
  4. 4Physics
  5. 5Public Safety and Security
  6. 6Customer and Personal Service

Abilities

  1. 1Control Precision
  2. 2Problem Sensitivity
  3. 3Multilimb Coordination
  4. 4Rate Control
  5. 5Reaction Time
  6. 6Far Vision

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Artistic
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Social

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Cautiousness
  3. 3Stress Tolerance
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Perseverance

Work activities

  1. 1Controlling Machines and Processes
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  4. 4Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
  5. 5Performing General Physical Activities
  6. 6Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  3. 3Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
  4. 4Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
  5. 5Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  6. 6Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Representative tasks

  • Start machine, engage clutch, and push and move levers to guide machine along forms or guidelines and to control the operation of machine attachments.
  • Fill tanks, hoppers, or machines with paving materials.
  • Control paving machines to push dump trucks and to maintain a constant flow of asphalt or other material into hoppers or screeds.
  • Observe distribution of paving material to adjust machine settings or material flow, and indicate low spots for workers to add material.
  • Coordinate truck dumping.
  • Drive machines onto truck trailers, and drive trucks to transport machines and material to and from job sites.
  • Inspect, clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using mechanics' hand tools, or report malfunctions to supervisors.
  • Set up and tear down equipment.

Software and tools

Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyDatabase softwareEmail softwareHCSS HeavyBidTime report softwareWarehouse management system WMS

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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