How much does a highway maintenance worker make?
The median highway maintenance worker in the United States earns $49,070 per year, about $23.59 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all highway maintenance workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-4051.
Highway maintenance worker salary range
Pay for highway maintenance workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,030 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $69,210. The average (mean) wage of $51,410 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,030 | $16.84 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $41,540 | $19.97 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,070 | $23.59 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,600 | $28.66 | |
| 90th percentile | $69,210 | $33.27 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for highway maintenance workers (SOC 47-4051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Highway maintenance worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Highway maintenance workers earn the most in Connecticut at $63,770 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $34,090. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $63,770 | 2,110 |
| Washington | $63,420 | 2,620 |
| Oregon | $62,990 | 1,670 |
| Alaska | $61,910 | 50 |
| Minnesota | $60,900 | 3,860 |
| North Dakota | $60,830 | 1,200 |
| Montana | $60,730 | 1,020 |
| Massachusetts | $59,240 | 1,840 |
| California | $58,300 | 7,770 |
| Illinois | $58,130 | 11,050 |
| Iowa | $56,800 | 4,400 |
| Colorado | $56,440 | 1,900 |
| Vermont | $56,420 | 1,020 |
| Wisconsin | $54,780 | 5,530 |
| Maryland | $54,300 | 700 |
| Rhode Island | $54,080 | 600 |
| Utah | $52,470 | 1,200 |
| New York | $52,010 | 14,200 |
| New Jersey | $50,700 | 5,780 |
| Michigan | $49,600 | 4,060 |
| Idaho | $49,440 | 1,330 |
| Virginia | $49,360 | 3,640 |
| New Hampshire | $49,200 | 1,200 |
| Wyoming | $48,590 | 720 |
| Indiana | $48,570 | 3,850 |
| Ohio | $47,990 | 6,600 |
| Arizona | $47,770 | 1,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,680 | 11,210 |
| South Dakota | $47,650 | 1,740 |
| Maine | $47,380 | 1,450 |
| Nebraska | $47,080 | 2,650 |
| Tennessee | $47,000 | 2,040 |
| Nevada | $46,300 | 1,010 |
| Missouri | $46,280 | 5,300 |
| New Mexico | $46,250 | 1,290 |
| West Virginia | $45,310 | 700 |
| Kansas | $45,170 | 2,580 |
| North Carolina | $43,760 | 3,770 |
| Texas | $42,180 | 6,950 |
| Delaware | $40,380 | 90 |
| Louisiana | $40,020 | 1,480 |
| Florida | $39,390 | 1,710 |
| Oklahoma | $38,780 | 2,880 |
| Arkansas | $38,070 | 1,190 |
| South Carolina | $38,000 | 930 |
| Georgia | $37,120 | 2,180 |
| Kentucky | $36,900 | 2,350 |
| Alabama | $36,050 | 2,700 |
| Mississippi | $34,090 | 3,850 |
State median wages for highway maintenance workers (SOC 47-4051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for highway maintenance workers
The BLS projects employment of highway maintenance workers to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 161,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 167,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 11,800 openings a year for highway maintenance workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a highway maintenance worker
The typical entry-level education for highway maintenance workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a highway maintenance worker earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Connecticut, $63,770) and the lowest (Mississippi, $34,090) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 151,750 people work as highway maintenance workers in the United States. At $49,070 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Highway maintenance worker salary FAQ
How much does a highway maintenance worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a highway maintenance worker is $23.59. The middle half of highway maintenance workers earn between $19.97 and $28.66 per hour.
What is the highest highway maintenance worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of highway maintenance workers earn more than $69,210 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a highway maintenance worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a highway maintenance worker is $49,070. The average (mean) wage of $51,410 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a highway maintenance worker a well paid job?
At $49,070 a year, a highway maintenance worker earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 151,750 people work as highway maintenance workers in the United States.
Which state pays highway maintenance workers the most?
Connecticut has the highest median salary for highway maintenance workers at $63,770 a year. Washington ($63,420) and Oregon ($62,990) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a highway maintenance worker a good career?
Employment of highway maintenance workers is projected to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 11,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a highway maintenance worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for highway maintenance workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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