Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Highway maintenance workers keep roads and related infrastructure in functional condition, supporting travel and transportation in many regions. Nationally, this occupation employs about 159,000 workers, indicating a sizable field with established job opportunities. The projected employment growth of 3.0% and about 12,000 annual openings point to ongoing demand for new and replacement workers. Typical entry into this career is accessible with a high school diploma or equivalent, broadening opportunities for people who prefer hands-on, outdoor, and physically active work. Success in this role is supported by a combination of physical strength and stamina, mechanical ability, attention to detail, and interpersonal skills. Leadership and project management abilities can help workers take on added responsibility over time. For individuals interested in stable, infrastructure-focused work that blends physical tasks with problem-solving and teamwork, highway maintenance offers a practical career path with opportunities across many states and metro areas.
Highway maintenance workers earn a national median annual salary of $49,070. Pay levels can vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states, Washington shows a median salary of $65,300, Massachusetts $61,500, California $59,580, New York $55,210, and Colorado $52,350. At the metro level, some areas stand out for higher earnings, including San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA at $79,000 and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV at $60,810. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro has a median salary of $60,280, while San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH report $59,500 and $60,800, respectively. These differences show that location choices can significantly influence earning potential, with some metro areas offering substantially higher median pay than the national figure. Job seekers comparing offers may want to weigh local salary levels alongside other personal and financial considerations.
Highway maintenance workers have a national employment base of about 159,000 workers, reflecting a sizable presence across the labor market. Projected employment growth of 3.0% signals continued need for people in this role over the forecast period. In addition to growth, the occupation is expected to generate about 12,000 annual openings. These openings can come from both new positions and the need to replace workers who retire or change careers. States such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington all show a 3.0% growth rate for this occupation, indicating a consistent projected pace across several regions that rank highly by opportunity score. For individuals considering long-term prospects, the combination of an established employment base, projected growth, and regular annual openings suggests an ongoing flow of opportunities for new entrants and experienced workers alike.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for highway maintenance workers. Among states, California ranks highly with a median salary of $59,580, employment of 8,150, growth of 3.0%, and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York combines relatively high employment of 13,820 with a median salary of $55,210 and an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts offers a median salary of $61,500 and an opportunity score of 65.87, while Washington stands out for a $65,300 median salary. Colorado also appears among the top states with a median salary of $52,350 and opportunity score of 56.97. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA leads with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $79,000, while the New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro shows an opportunity score of 77.27 with 6,800 employed. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH also feature strong opportunity scores and median salaries around or above $59,500.
Highway maintenance workers typically enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent. This educational requirement makes the occupation accessible to people who want to start working without a lengthy degree program. Because the work can be physically demanding, physical strength and stamina play an important role in everyday success. Fine motor skills and a detail-oriented approach support accurate and careful task performance. Mechanical ability and basic mathematics and science knowledge help workers understand and complete technical aspects of the job. Interpersonal skills and customer service abilities support effective interactions with coworkers and the public, while leadership and project management skills can be valuable for coordinating tasks or advancing to roles with more responsibility. People who combine these skills with the required education can be well prepared to pursue and grow in highway maintenance positions. Related career paths to explore include fence erectors, helpers–roofers, roofers, meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers, and extraction workers, all other.
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