Prevailing Wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Prevailing wages for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (SOC 47-2071) are set by the DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, covering roles such as Asphalt Paver Operator, Asphalt Paving Machine Operator, and Asphalt Roller Operator. DOL defines four experience levels, and the wage floor shifts substantially depending on the worksite city.
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Entry-level operators with limited independent experience, typically working under close supervision on routine paving or tamping tasks. They follow established procedures and require ongoing guidance. Most have fewer than two years of hands-on equipment operation in this occupation.
Qualified operators who work with moderate supervision and handle standard paving, surfacing, or tamping assignments independently. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators, reflecting journeyman-level proficiency gained through several years of field experience.
Experienced operators who perform complex assignments with minimal supervision, often coordinating with crews on larger road or runway projects. They troubleshoot equipment issues, adapt to site conditions, and may informally guide less experienced colleagues on job-specific tasks.
Fully competent senior operators who direct work on major paving or surfacing projects, exercise independent judgment on methods and sequencing, and may serve in a lead capacity. Their expertise spans multiple equipment types and project environments across this occupation.
Prevailing Wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Verify your worksite city before accepting
Prevailing wages for asphalt paving and surfacing operators vary sharply by metro. West Coast and Alaska markets set floors well above the national median, while Texas border metros and Puerto Rico sit near the bottom. The LCA must list your actual worksite, so check the city-specific wage before signing.
Watch how signing bonuses are counted
For H-1B and PERM-sponsored paving equipment roles, only guaranteed recurring wages count toward the prevailing wage floor. A one-time signing bonus or per-diem allowance does not offset a base wage that falls below the certified level for your experience tier.
Confirm your SOC code matches your actual duties
Employers sometimes file LCAs under broader construction equipment SOCs rather than 47-2071. If your duties center on asphalt or concrete surfacing rather than general excavation, the filing should reflect the paving-specific occupation to ensure the correct wage floor applies to your offer.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors for this role
Paving and surfacing equipment roles attract a narrow set of specialty contractors and infrastructure firms that sponsor visas consistently. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historical H-1B sponsorship counts for this occupation, helping you target companies already familiar with the process.
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Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-2071.00 alongside Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Asphalt Paver Operator Prevailing Wage
Asphalt Paver Operator Prevailing Wage
Asphalt Paver Operator positions fall under SOC 47-2071.00 (Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Asphalt Paving Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Asphalt Paving Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Asphalt Paving Machine Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2071.00 (Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Asphalt Raker Prevailing Wage
Asphalt Raker Prevailing Wage
Asphalt Raker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2071.00 (Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Asphalt Roller Operator Prevailing Wage
Asphalt Roller Operator Prevailing Wage
Asphalt Roller Operator positions fall under SOC 47-2071.00 (Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Equipment Operator (EO) Prevailing Wage
Equipment Operator (EO) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Equipment Operator (EO) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2071.00 (Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Loader Operator Prevailing Wage
Loader Operator Prevailing Wage
Loader Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2071.00 (Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Maintenance Equipment Operator (MEO) Prevailing Wage
Maintenance Equipment Operator (MEO) Prevailing Wage
Maintenance Equipment Operator (MEO) positions fall under SOC 47-2071.00 (Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Paver Operator Prevailing Wage
Paver Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Paver Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2071.00 (Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Roller Operator Prevailing Wage
Roller Operator Prevailing Wage
Roller Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2071.00 (Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Screed Operator Prevailing Wage
Screed Operator Prevailing Wage
Screed Operator positions fall under SOC 47-2071.00 (Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through employer surveys. For SOC 47-2071, OFLC maps those survey results to four wage levels based on experience and complexity. Employers sponsoring a worker under H-1B or PERM must certify they will pay at least the applicable level wage for the worksite area.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
DOL defines Level 1 as entry-level requiring close supervision, Level 2 as qualified with independent task performance, Level 3 as experienced handling complex assignments, and Level 4 as fully competent in a lead or senior capacity. Your level is determined by your actual job duties, the supervision you receive, and your years of relevant experience. The employer assigns the level when filing the LCA, but the duties described must genuinely match that tier.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same paving operator role differ so much between cities?
OFLC calculates wage floors from regional Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys, so the floor reflects local labor market conditions in each metro area. High unionization rates, strong infrastructure spending, and elevated local costs of living push wages up in markets like San Francisco or Seattle. An LCA must list the actual worksite location, so the wage floor is tied to where the work is performed, not where the employer is headquartered.
What happens if an employer offers a wage below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
DOL will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite area and experience level. Without a certified LCA, USCIS will not approve an H-1B petition. For PERM-based green card cases, a wage below the prevailing wage similarly disqualifies the application. The employer must either increase the offered wage to meet the floor or the sponsorship cannot proceed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location for this role?
You can look up the current wage floor for SOC 47-2071 by metro area using the OFLC Wage Search tool on the DOL website. Enter the occupation code and the worksite location to retrieve the four-level wage schedule. For sponsored job searches, Migrate Mate lists employers with documented H-1B sponsorship history for construction and equipment operator roles, so you can identify which companies are actively filing in this occupation.
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