How much does a highway maintenance workers make?

The median highway maintenance workers salary in the United States is $50,260 per year ($24.16/hour). Salaries range from $36,230 (10th percentile) to $71,970 (90th percentile). There are 154,960 highway maintenance workers jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays highway maintenance workerss the most?

The highest paying state for highway maintenance workerss is Oregon at $65,330 median salary.

Is highway maintenance workers a good career?

Highway Maintenance Workers employment is projected to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034 (as fast as average). There are approximately 12,300 job openings per year. Typical education required: High school diploma or equivalent.

What interview questions are asked for highway maintenance workers roles?

Common highway maintenance workers interview questions include: "Tell me about your equipment experience and what you're rated to operate.", "Walk me through how you'd set up a work zone for a two-lane pothole patch on a 55 mph state route.", "It's 2 AM in a snowstorm and your plow truck loses its spreader controller. What do you do?". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example Caltrans (California DOT) typically uses 2-3 rounds over 4-8 weeks.

What is the career ladder for highway maintenance workerss?

The typical highway maintenance workers career ladder: Highway Maintainer I / Laborer (0-2 yrs, $36-45k base + winter overtime $3-8k) → Highway Maintainer II (CDL-B) (2-5 yrs, $42-52k base + winter overtime $8-18k) → Highway Maintainer III / Equipment Operator (5-10 yrs, $52-68k base + winter overtime $12-25k) → Foreman / Highway Maintenance Supervisor (8-15 yrs, $62-85k base + storm-supervision differential + overtime).

What certifications should highway maintenance workerss get?

Top-ROI certifications for highway maintenance workerss: CDL Class B (with air-brake endorsement) ($0 — DOT-sponsored training + state road-test fee ($60-100)); CDL Class A (with air-brake + tanker + passenger) ($0 — DOT-sponsored training + upgrade road-test fee ($60-100)); ATSSA Flagger + Traffic Control Technician + Traffic Control Supervisor ($0 — DOT-paid; commercial versions run $175-475 per level).

How do you negotiate a highway maintenance workers salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $50,260, p75 $61,040), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. Given 8 years with [state DOT], CDL Class A with tanker and passenger endorsements, ATSSA Traffic Control Technician, plow-rodeo district championship, and zero at-fault incidents, I'm eligible for step 8 on the Maintai...

Highway Maintenance Workers Salary

The median highway maintenance workers salary in the United States is $50,260 per year ($24.16/hour). Salaries range from $36,230 at the entry level to $71,970+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 154,960 highway maintenance workers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Salary

$50,260

per year

Hourly Rate

$24.16

per hour

Employment

154,960

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$36,230

25th percentile

$43,500

Median

$50,260

75th percentile

$61,040

90th percentile

$71,970

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+3%

As fast as average

Annual Openings

12,300

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Highway Maintenance Workers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for highway maintenance workerss.

Highway maintenance workers keep the state and county road networks operating — pothole patching, pavement striping, snow plowing, guardrail repair, mowing, salt and sand spreading, sign installation, and emergency response after accidents. It's a $50,260 median role (p10 $36,230 · p90 $71,970 · ~154,960 employed) that pays predictable public-sector wages with defined-benefit pensions, strong overtime opportunity during storm seasons, and clear step-based advancement. Entry (Highway Maintainer I / laborer) $36-45k; established (Highway Maintainer II / III with CDL) $48-62k; equipment operator / crew leader $58-72k; foreman / supervisor $70-92k. Northeast and West Coast DOTs (Caltrans, NYSDOT, Massachusetts DOT) pay 25-40% above BLS median; Southern and rural DOTs run near or below median. Storm-season overtime routinely adds $8-25k to base.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

CDL Class A or B with air-brake endorsement

Non-negotiable at Highway Maintainer II / III and above. Class B for single dump trucks and snow plows; Class A for tandem, tractor-trailer, and lowboy. Tanker endorsement helps for salt-brine and fuel work.

Equipment operation — dump truck, plow, loader, roller, grader

Front-end loader, backhoe, tandem dump, plow trucks with wing plows, salt spreaders, motor grader, roller, striping truck. State DOTs test practical skill, not just certification.

Flagging & work-zone traffic control (MUTCD)

MUTCD Part 6 work-zone setup — cones, drums, arrow boards, portable signs. ATSSA Flagger and Traffic Control Technician certifications are the gold standard and often paid for by the DOT.

Cold-patch and hot-mix asphalt repair

Winter cold-patch for emergency fills; hot-mix crews in-season for larger repairs. Prep, tack coat, compaction, and edge sealing — the difference between a patch that lasts 3 months and one that lasts 3 years.

Snow & ice operations

Route knowledge, plowing patterns, salt-brine pre-treatment, anti-icing timing before storms. Storm callout means 12-16 hour shifts and full winter overtime — this is where the top earners in the trade compensate up.

Guardrail, sign, and pavement-marking installation

W-beam and cable barrier repair, sign post drilling and setting, thermoplastic and paint striping. Each is a specialty crew within the maintenance yard.

Basic mechanical & preventive maintenance

Pre-trip and post-trip inspection, minor troubleshooting, hydraulic fluid, tire chains, spreader calibration. The best highway maintainers keep their own truck running, don't wait on the shop.

Physical stamina & safety discipline

12-hour storm shifts, lifting 50-80 lbs repeatedly, working live traffic in weather. OSHA 10 or 30, defensive-driver certification, first-aid / CPR. Zero-tolerance drug and alcohol testing.

How to Become a Highway Maintenance Workers

1
Get a high-school diploma or GED and a clean driver's record
Every state DOT and county highway department requires it. Any moving violations in the last 3 years or a DUI can disqualify — check your MVR before applying.
2
Apply for entry Highway Maintainer / Laborer position at a state DOT or county
Caltrans, TxDOT, NYSDOT, FDOT, PennDOT, Ohio DOT, and most county highway departments hire year-round with a paper civil-service application. Entry wage $36-45k with no CDL.
3
Get CDL Class B (Class A if you can) within the first 12-18 months
State DOTs sponsor CDL training and pay for the road test. Once you hold a valid CDL you jump to Highway Maintainer II ($42-52k) and become eligible for plow duty and overtime.
4
Earn ATSSA Flagger + Traffic Control Technician + OSHA 10
Standard credentials to lead work-zone traffic control. Usually paid for by the employer. Adds $1-3/hour on many DOT pay plans.
5
Advance to Highway Maintainer III / Equipment Operator / Crew Leader
$58-72k base + $8-25k winter overtime. 3-8 years in. Requires strong equipment scores, no safety incidents, and passing an operator promotion test.
6
Test into Highway Maintenance Foreman / Supervisor
$70-92k base + supervisor differential + pension credit. 8-15 years in. Runs a yard or a crew of 6-15 workers. Requires supervisory training and, in some states, a promotional civil-service exam.

Career Progression

Highway Maintainer I / Laborer

0-2 yrs$36-45k base + winter overtime $3-8k

•Manual labor — patching, sign clearing, mowing, litter, drainage cleaning
•Assist equipment operators; ride out on plow trucks as passenger during storms
•Flagging and work-zone setup under supervisor direction
•Get CDL and required certifications within first 12-18 months

Next: Highway Maintainer II once CDL is in hand and equipment scores pass.

Highway Maintainer II (CDL-B)

2-5 yrs$42-52k base + winter overtime $8-18k

•Operate dump truck, single-axle plow, salt spreader
•Cold-patch and hot-mix crews; guardrail repair; sign installation
•Lead flagging and work-zone control on routine jobs
•Snow-route responsibility during storm callouts

Next: Highway Maintainer III / Equipment Operator at 3-6 years, with Class A CDL and strong scores.

Highway Maintainer III / Equipment Operator

5-10 yrs$52-68k base + winter overtime $12-25k

•Operate tandem plow, motor grader, loader, roller, striping truck
•Lead 2-4 person crews on routine and emergency jobs
•Coordinate with contractors and utilities on shared work zones
•Mentor Maintainer I and II staff on equipment and safety

Next: Foreman / Supervisor at 8-15 years, after supervisory exam and training.

Foreman / Highway Maintenance Supervisor

8-15 yrs$62-85k base + storm-supervision differential + overtime

•Run a yard or district crew of 6-15 highway maintainers
•Own storm-response plan for the district — routes, staffing, materials
•Time-and-attendance, safety investigations, disciplinary process
•Manage yard equipment budget and material stocking (salt, brine, asphalt)

Next: Maintenance Manager / Superintendent at 12-20 years.

Maintenance Manager / District Superintendent

15+ yrs$78-115k base + pension + management differential

•Manage a multi-yard district or region (30-150+ maintainers, $8-45M annual budget)
•Interface with elected officials, county engineer, or DOT district engineer
•Set annual maintenance plan, capital equipment purchases, contract oversight
•Emergency operations lead during major storms and highway closures

Next: Deputy District Engineer or DOT executive appointment.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 16 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Tell me about your equipment experience and what you're rated to operate.technical

Be specific with the hours and the machines. Name the trucks (single-axle dump, tandem, tri-axle with wing plow), the loaders (Cat 950, Volvo L110), the grader (Cat 140 or John Deere 672), and any specialty gear (striping truck, boom mower, sweeper). Say your CDL class and endorsements plainly. If you have any DOT recognition — best route time, no-incident streak, plow rodeo placement — bring it up. Hiring supervisors at Caltrans, TxDOT, NYSDOT, PennDOT, and Ohio DOT all want to know exactly what they can put you on day one without retraining.

Q2. Walk me through how you'd set up a work zone for a two-lane pothole patch on a 55 mph state route.situational

Start with MUTCD Part 6. First, park your work vehicle downstream with the arrow board flashing. Set the advance warning signs upstream — 'Road Work Ahead' at 500 ft, 'Right Lane Closed Ahead' at 350 ft, then a taper of cones at the MUTCD-recommended spacing for 55 mph (roughly 40-50 ft per cone across the taper). Set a longitudinal buffer downstream of the taper before your work area — that's the safety margin if a driver blows the taper. Flagger on both ends if the shoulder is tight or visibility is limited. Never let a crew work outside the buffer. When we break down, we do it in reverse — take the taper down last, from downstream up.

Q3. It's 2 AM in a snowstorm and your plow truck loses its spreader controller. What do you do?situational

First: safety — pull off at the next available spot with the emergency lights on, radio the yard immediately, do not try to keep spreading blind. Second: quick diagnosis — is it a blown fuse, a disconnected wire harness, or a full controller failure? If it's a fuse and I've got a spare, I swap it and keep going. Third: if it's not something I can fix trackside in 5 minutes, I call for a swap truck and finish my route on plow-only while the yard sends someone to relieve me. Never let pride keep you on a broken truck in a storm — that's how people get hurt and the DOT gets a lawsuit.

Q4. Have you ever had a safety incident, and what did you learn from it?behavioral

The right answer is honest. Everyone in this trade has close calls; supervisors respect the ones who own them. Pick a real example — a near-miss with a driver blowing the taper, a slip on a wet loader step, a struck-by close-call in a work zone. Walk through what happened, what you should have done differently (better spotter, better cone spacing, higher-visibility PPE, called it off in worse weather), and what changed in your habits afterward. Never say 'I've never had one' — that's a red flag, either you're not honest or you haven't been out enough to know.

Q5. Why do you want to work for our DOT / highway department instead of a private contractor like Granite Construction or Kiewit?culture

The honest answer that resonates: stability, pension, health benefits, and predictable route. Private highway contractors like Granite Construction, Kiewit, Peter Kiewit Sons, and Traylor Bros can pay 5-15% higher on the hourly rate but come with layoffs between projects, out-of-town travel, and no defined-benefit pension. Public DOT work — Caltrans, TxDOT, NYSDOT, FDOT, PennDOT, Ohio DOT — trades a slightly lower base for a career-long benefit stack that's worth $18-40k/year in retirement, plus you're home every night. Say that plainly, and add that you know the district you're applying to and want to build a career there, not job-hop.

Resume Template — Highway Maintainer II (2-5 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Highway Maintainer II (2-5 yrs)

▸3.5 years with [state DOT] as Highway Maintainer II covering 42 lane-miles across [route corridor]; zero at-fault incidents.
▸CDL Class A with air-brake, tanker, and passenger endorsements. ATSSA Flagger + Traffic Control Technician certified. OSHA 10 (highway construction).
▸Rated operator on tandem dump, single-axle plow with wing, Cat 950 loader, Cat 140 grader, and roller. Cold-patch and hot-mix crew experience.
▸$47k base + $12k winter overtime + $2.4k differentials. Perfect attendance FY24; plow rodeo placement 3rd in district.

What Gets You Rejected

✗MVR issues — any moving violation in the last 3 years, DUI, or CDL suspension will get an application pulled at almost every DOT.
✗Failed pre-employment drug screen or history of positive tests on a prior CDL job — federal DOT reporting means this follows you.
✗Unwilling to work night shift, weekends, or storm callouts — highway maintenance is 24/7, particularly Oct-Apr in the Snow Belt.
✗No CDL and no plan to get one — you can start as Maintainer I, but if you're not on a CDL track within 12-18 months you cap out fast.
✗Prior conflict with union or supervisors — public DOT yards are union shops in most states; hiring supervisors call references and prior stewards.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓Winter overtime — routes in the Snow Belt (NYSDOT, PennDOT, Ohio DOT, Massachusetts DOT, Minnesota DOT) add $8-25k in storm callouts, guaranteed.
✓CDL Class A vs Class B — Class A adds $2-4/hour on most DOT step plans and unlocks tandem and lowboy assignments.
✓Specialty certifications — ATSSA Traffic Control Technician, motor grader certification, IPC pesticide license (for spray crews) can each add $0.50-2.00/hour.
✓Metro / high-cost districts (Caltrans District 4 Bay Area, NYSDOT Region 10 Long Island, MassDOT Boston, PennDOT District 6 Philadelphia) pay 15-30% above statewide averages.
✓Overtime distribution — union contracts usually distribute overtime by seniority + skill; being on the plow-eligible roster is where the top-quartile earners land.
✓Move from county to state or vice versa — state DOTs generally have richer pensions (2-2.5% multiplier) but counties often pay 5-10% more on the hourly.
✓Private highway contractors (Granite Construction, Kiewit Highway, Peter Kiewit Sons, Traylor Bros) pay 5-15% higher hourly but no pension, less benefit, more travel.

Highway Maintenance Workers Resume Review — $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired highway maintenance workerss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

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✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
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Highway Maintenance Workers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$35K

$65K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
Oregon	$65,330	+30.0%	1,650
Washington	$65,300	+29.9%	2,590
Connecticut	$64,870	+29.1%	2,130
Minnesota	$63,150	+25.6%	4,610
Illinois	$61,700	+22.8%	10,790
Massachusetts	$61,500	+22.4%	2,000
Montana	$60,960	+21.3%	1,140
North Dakota	$60,630	+20.6%	1,240
California	$59,580	+18.5%	8,150
Iowa	$58,490	+16.4%	4,000

Showing 1–10 of 49

Highway Maintenance Workers Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$79,000	+57.2%
Vallejo, CA	$76,510	+52.2%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$76,220	+51.7%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$75,030	+49.3%
Kankakee, IL	$73,080	+45.4%
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$72,910	+45.1%
Springfield, IL	$71,320	+41.9%
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$71,140	+41.5%
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$68,720	+36.7%
Albany, OR	$68,600	+36.5%

Showing 1–10 of 352

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A highway maintenance workers earning $50,260/year would need 1186 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1273 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

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📈 See how highway maintenance workers salaries have changed over the past decade.

View Highway Maintenance Workers salary trend (2011–2024) →