Highway Maintenance Workers
Highway maintenance workers repair and maintain roads, highways, airport runways, and roadsides. They patch pavement, fix guard rails and road markers, clear brush and debris, and plow snow. Work takes place outdoors on roads and rights-of-way across municipalities and rural areas.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against highway maintenance workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves operating equipment to patch potholes and broken pavement, replacing damaged guard rails and highway markers, and mowing or clearing vegetation along roadsides. During winter months, workers plow snow and apply de-icing materials to keep roads passable. Tasks vary by season and region, with crews responding to weather damage and routine maintenance needs.
Who this work suits
Holland code RCS. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You do well in this work if you prefer hands-on, practical tasks and systematic procedures. People drawn to highway maintenance tend to value structure and following established protocols, and they're comfortable working outdoors in varied weather conditions.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $58,200 | $65,330 | $70,320 | 1,650 |
| Washington | $62,460 | $65,300 | $75,030 | 2,590 |
| Connecticut | $61,690 | $64,870 | $72,990 | 2,130 |
| Minnesota | $55,810 | $63,150 | $66,150 | 4,610 |
| Illinois | $45,550 | $61,700 | $88,790 | 10,790 |
| Massachusetts | $50,160 | $61,500 | $70,070 | 2,000 |
| Montana | $59,400 | $60,960 | $62,610 | 1,140 |
| North Dakota | $57,580 | $60,630 | $69,960 | 1,240 |
| California | $49,550 | $59,580 | $76,510 | 8,150 |
| Iowa | $52,860 | $58,490 | $61,810 | 4,000 |
| Vermont | $49,210 | $58,460 | $60,660 | 1,170 |
| Wisconsin | $50,370 | $58,000 | $62,390 | 6,000 |
All 49 states
Certifications people in this field hold
- Highway Construction Inspection — National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against highway maintenance workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 47-4051.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.