Tamping machine operator vs asphalt raker

The differences between tamping machine operators and asphalt rakers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a tamping machine operator and an asphalt raker. Additionally, a tamping machine operator has an average salary of $32,069, which is higher than the $30,608 average annual salary of an asphalt raker.

The top three skills for a tamping machine operator include grade specifications, CDL and track structure. The most important skills for an asphalt raker are asphalt, traffic control, and jack hammers.

Tamping machine operator vs asphalt raker overview

	Tamping Machine Operator	Asphalt Raker
Yearly salary	$32,069	$30,608
Hourly rate	$15.42	$14.72
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	53,712	430
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 83%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

Tamping machine operator vs asphalt raker salary

Tamping machine operators and asphalt rakers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tamping Machine Operator	Asphalt Raker
Average salary	$32,069	$30,608
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $41,000	Between $23,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between tamping machine operator and asphalt raker education

There are a few differences between a tamping machine operator and an asphalt raker in terms of educational background:

	Tamping Machine Operator	Asphalt Raker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 83%
Most common major	Engineering	Business
Most common college	-	-

Tamping machine operator vs asphalt raker demographics

Here are the differences between tamping machine operators' and asphalt rakers' demographics:

	Tamping Machine Operator	Asphalt Raker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%	Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between tamping machine operator and asphalt raker duties and responsibilities

Tamping machine operator example responsibilities.

Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Crane operator, Bidwell paving machine operator and setup.

Asphalt raker example responsibilities.

Work as part of the paving crew primarily raking asphalt, shoveling excess asphalt and sweeping up debris
Finish surface by smoothing and tampering asphalt material to the proper grade and thickness to properly adhere material to road surface.
Conduct leaf control and clean up in bunkers, fairways, greens, etc.

Tamping machine operator vs asphalt raker skills

Common tamping machine operator skills

Grade Specifications, 35%
CDL, 34%
Track Structure, 27%
Tampers, 4%

Common asphalt raker skills

Asphalt, 85%
Traffic Control, 14%
Jack Hammers, 1%

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Tamping Machine Operator
Tamping Machine Operator vs Asphalt Raker

Updated January 8, 2025

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