What Highway Maintenance Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Highway Maintenance Workers this way: "Maintain highways, municipal and rural roads, airport runways, and rights-of-way. Duties include patching broken or eroded pavement and repairing guard rails, highway markers, and snow fences. May also mow or clear brush from along road, or plow snow from roadway."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Flag motorists to warn them of obstacles or repair work ahead"; "Set out signs and cones around work areas to divert traffic"; "Dump, spread, and tamp asphalt, using pneumatic tampers, to repair joints and patch broken pavement"; "Drive trucks to transport crews and equipment to work sites"; "Inspect, clean, and repair drainage systems, bridges, tunnels, and other structures".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Highway Maintenance Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 161,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 167,300 in 2035, an increase of 5,500 jobs (+3.4%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 11,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.3% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $50,260, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Highway Maintenance Workers earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $54,196 in New Jersey to $56,017 in New York, a gap of $1,820 (1.03 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $50,260 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 17,280, which is 60.0% of the 28,820 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 11,540.
Highest-paying states
New York ($56,017) and New Jersey ($54,196) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($54,196) and New York ($56,017) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Highway Maintenance Workers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (47-4000) include Construction and Building Inspectors.
Frequently asked questions about Highway Maintenance Workers
How much do Highway Maintenance Workers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $50,260. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $54,196 to $56,017.
Which state pays Highway Maintenance Workers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $56,017. New Jersey is next at $54,196.
Is Highway Maintenance Workers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 11,800 openings a year.
What education do Highway Maintenance Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.