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.
Highway Maintenance Workers
SOC: 47-4051 O*NET: 47-4051.00
Median Salary
$49,070
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
12.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Highway Maintenance Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,030
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,540
25th percentile
Median
$49,070
50th percentile
Experienced
$59,600
75th percentile
Top Earners
$69,210
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,030
25th
$41,540
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,070
Mean: $51,410
75th
$59,600
90th
$69,210
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $34,180 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,540 and $59,600
- •Salary spread is 36.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 151,750 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:159,100
Top Industries
Construction3.4%
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction3%
Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3%
Annual Openings:12,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)159,100
Current
2034 (Projected)163,900
+3%
+4,800
Employment Change
+3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Highway Maintenance Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
New York
14,200 jobs$52,0101.51x
Pennsylvania
11,210 jobs$47,6801.89x
Illinois
11,050 jobs$58,1301.85x
California
7,770 jobs$58,3000.44x
Texas
6,950 jobs$42,1800.51x
Ohio
6,600 jobs$47,9901.21x
New Jersey
5,780 jobs$50,7001.38x
Wisconsin
5,530 jobs$54,7801.92x
Missouri
5,300 jobs$46,2801.85x
Iowa
4,400 jobs$56,8002.86x
Michigan
4,060 jobs$49,6000.94x
Minnesota
3,860 jobs$60,9001.34x
Indiana
3,850 jobs$48,5701.23x
Mississippi
3,850 jobs$34,0903.37x
North Carolina
3,770 jobs$43,7600.78x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
90%
#3
Coordination
80%
#4
Monitoring
70%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#6
Speaking
50%
#7
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.5
90%
Coordination
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.5
70%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Speaking
basic2.5
50%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance90%
skills
4.5/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance50%
skills
2.5/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Conveyor Operators and Tenders75%
5 shared skills
Construction Laborers71%
5 shared skills
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders71%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels70%
5 shared skills
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters70%
5 shared skills
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Coordination
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Highway Maintenance Workers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Planning & Development (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Flag motorists to warn them of obstacles or repair work ahead.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Set out signs and cones around work areas to divert traffic.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Dump, spread, and tamp asphalt, using pneumatic tampers, to repair joints and patch broken pavement.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Drive trucks to transport crews and equipment to work sites.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Inspect, clean, and repair drainage systems, bridges, tunnels, and other structures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Haul and spread sand, gravel, and clay to fill washouts and repair road shoulders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Erect, install, or repair guardrails, road shoulders, berms, highway markers, warning signals, and highway lighting, using hand tools and power tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Remove litter and debris from roadways, including debris from rock and mud slides.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Clean and clear debris from culverts, catch basins, drop inlets, ditches, and other drain structures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Perform roadside landscaping work, such as clearing weeds and brush, and planting and trimming trees.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Highway Maintenance Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Highway Maintenance Workers professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Highway Maintenance Workers
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.00
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.86
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.74
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.69
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.65
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.60
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.0
Concern for Others
3.9
Integrity
3.7
Attention to Detail
3.7
Cooperation
3.6
Self-Control
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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