Highway Maintenance Workers
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.
Common Job Titles
- Equipment Operator (EO)
- Highway Maintainer
- Highway Maintenance Worker
- Transportation Maintenance Specialist (TMS)
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- Hands-onOperate heavy equipment including dump trucks, graders, and snowplows on highways and municipal roads under varying weather conditions.Proficient
- KnowledgeOrganize daily maintenance tasks and crew activities prioritizing emergency repairs and seasonal operations independently.Proficient
- KnowledgeAssess road surface conditions and drainage systems to determine appropriate repair methods and material requirements.Proficient
- Hands-onExecute winter maintenance operations including snow plowing and ice control operating spreaders and snowplows under time pressure and adverse weather.Proficient
- Hands-onExecute pavement patching and repair procedures using asphalt equipment and compactors following safety protocols.Developing
- KnowledgeIdentify roadway hazards and maintenance needs through routine inspections of highways, bridges, and right-of-way structures.Developing
- MindsetEngage with motorists and the public while performing maintenance work in high-traffic areas, ensuring safety and service quality.Developing
- KnowledgeApply public safety and traffic control procedures when establishing work zones on active roadways.Developing
- Hands-onPerform vegetation management activities including mowing, brush clearing, and herbicide application using tractor-mounted equipment and manual tools along road rights-of-way.Developing
- MindsetSupport team coordination and communication when working with crew members and supervisors using two-way radios in the field.Developing
- Hands-onOperate pavement striping and marking equipment applying thermoplastic and paint materials to roadways following regulatory standards.Developing
- KnowledgeApply mechanical knowledge for equipment troubleshooting and basic repairs maintaining operational readiness of highway maintenance vehicles and tools.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Highway Maintenance Workers (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
151,750
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $35,030. 25th percentile: U.S. $41,540. 50th percentile: U.S. $49,070. 75th percentile: U.S. $59,600. 90th percentile: U.S. $69,210. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $35,030 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $69,210 |
| Workers on average earn | $51,410 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Public Safety and Security4.2/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Transportation3.3/5
- Building and Construction3.2/5
- Education and Training3.0/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Technology Skills
- Database software
- Spreadsheet software
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
Tools & Equipment
- 10-ton crawlers
- 10-ton tandem-axle dump trucks
- 13000-23000 pound graders
- 30-ton clam buckets
- 4-6 ton roller patchers
- 8-ton dump trucks
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches