Construction · SOC 47-2071
Paving equipment operators exercise constant situational judgment on variable road surfaces — autonomous machines are far from ready.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: GPS-guided and semi-autonomous pavers are entering use for highway work, but complex urban and repair paving will need human operators through the 2030s.
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$64,700 median pay
$48,680 median pay
$59,280 median pay
$49,070 median pay
$58,710 median pay
$57,250 median pay
AI job-risk card
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators is 12/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
12 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Logging material usage and machine hours, Communicating material flow adjustments to crew. Harder to automate: Reading pavement grade and distribution in real time, Maneuvering large machines in confined or irregular spaces, Coordinating with dump truck drivers and flaggers, Diagnosing machine issues and making on-the-spot adjustments.
Lean into Heavy equipment operation certification, GPS-assisted grading systems, Construction site safety management, Material flow and compaction principles. Consider roles such as Construction equipment supervisor or Road construction project coordinator or Heavy equipment trainer.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.