Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Equipment Operator (EO)
- Paver Operator
- Roller Operator
- Screed Operator
Alternate Job Titles
- Asphalt Distributor Operator
- Asphalt Distributor Tender
- Asphalt Equipment Crew Member
- Asphalt Equipment Operator
- Asphalt Paver
- Asphalt Paver Operator
- Asphalt Paving Machine Operator
- Asphalt Paving Operator
- Asphalt Plant Operator
- Asphalt Raker
- Asphalt Roller Operator
- Asphalt Screed Operator
- Asphalt Screedman
- Asphalt Spreader Operator
- Asphalt Surface Heater Operator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Building and Construction
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Control Precision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Multilimb Coordination
- Reaction Time
- Rate Control
- Far Vision
- Trunk Strength
- Static Strength
- Oral Comprehension
- Visualization
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Stress Tolerance
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable wrenches
- Asphalt distributor trucks
- Asphalt heating equipment
- Asphalt mixing equipment
- Asphalt paving machines
- Asphalt rakes
- Automatic paving control systems
- Chip spreaders
- Claw hammers
- Cold in-place recyclers
- Cold planers
- Compactors
- Concrete paving machines
- Concrete saws
- Desktop computers
Work Environment
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
- Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $38,030 |
| Median | $51,650 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $90,110 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 45,680
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Construction Laborers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,730
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $58,710
Segmental Pavers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: Varies
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $54,660
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,550
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.