Career Overview
Lay out, cut, and place segmental paving units. Includes installers of bedding and restraining materials for the paving units.
Also Known As
- Cutter
- Paver
- Paver Installer
- Paving Stone Installer
Alternate Job Titles
- Asphalt Foreman
- Asphalt Laborer
- Asphalt Paver Operator
- Asphalt Paving Coordinator
- Asphalt Paving Crew Member
- Asphalt Paving Laborer
- Asphalt Paving Worker
- Asphalt Plant Laborer
- Asphalt Plant Operator
- Asphalt Raker
- Concrete Pavement Installer
- Concrete Paver
- Cutter
- Installer
- Interlocking Concrete Pavement Installer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Prepare base for installation by removing unstable or unsuitable materials, compacting and grading the soil, draining or stabilizing weak or saturated soils and taking measures to prevent water penetration and migration of bedding sand.
- Supply and place base materials, edge restraints, bedding sand and jointing sand.
- Discuss the design with the client.
- Set pavers, aligning and spacing them correctly.
- Sweep sand into the joints and compact pavement until the joints are full.
- Screed sand level to an even thickness, and recheck sand exposed to elements, raking and rescreeding if necessary.
- Cut paving stones to size and for edges, using a splitter and a masonry saw.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Manual Dexterity
- Static Strength
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
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
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Backhoes
- Bandcutters
- Base rakes
- Chainsaws
- Chalk line markers
- Chop saws
- Demolition hammers
- Dump trucks
- Dust collectors
- Fork-grapples
- Forklifts
- Grout mixers
- Hardscape mallets
- Jackhammers
- Laser levels
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $54,660
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $51,650
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $57,260
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $54,340
Tile and Stone Setters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,240
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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.