Paving Equipment Operator
Run pavers and rollers that build roads, parking lots and runways.
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Skilled Trades & Construction career
Highway Maintenance Worker
Also called: Road Maintenance Worker · Highway Worker · DOT Maintenance Worker · Snowplow Driver
What highway maintenance workers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a highway maintenance worker do?
Highway maintenance workers maintain highways, municipal and rural roads, airport runways and rights-of-way, patching broken pavement, repairing guardrails, plowing snow and mowing. The median pay is $50,260 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +3.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$50,260$24.16/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.4%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year11,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainMonths on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs161,800Employment, 2025
What highway maintenance workers do
Highway maintenance workers keep roads open. They patch potholes, plow and salt in winter, mow and clear brush, repair guardrails and signs, clean drains and set up work zones, mostly for state and local governments.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; a CDL is often required. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Patch pavement
- Plow snow
- Spread salt
- Mow and clear brush
- Repair guardrails
- Maintain signs
- Set up work zones
Work environment and schedule
Workers are outdoors on roads in all weather.
Schedule: Full time, with call-ins for storms and emergencies.
A day in the life
- Get called in for snow.
- Pre-trip the plow.
- Plow the route.
- Reload salt.
See a full day in the life of a highway maintenance worker →
Highway Maintenance Worker salary
Half of highway maintenance workers earned more than $50,260 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,230 for the lowest 10% to $71,970 for the top 10%.
Full highway maintenance worker pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a highway maintenance worker
- Finish high school
- Get a CDL
- Apply to a DOT or city
- Complete training
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; a CDL is often required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a highway maintenance worker →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Snowplowing
- Pavement patching
- Equipment operation
- Work zone setup
- Guardrail repair
People skills
- Reliability
- Safety awareness
- Teamwork
- Stamina
All highway maintenance worker skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Public sector benefits
- Steady jobs
- Variety of tasks
- No degree needed
Cons
- Traffic hazards
- Storm call-ins
- Weather
- Physical work
Certifications and licenses
- CDL: Often required.
- Flagger certification: Required for work zones.
- Chainsaw safety: Helpful.
- Pesticide applicator: Some roles.
Career path
- Maintenance Worker: Entry.
- Equipment Operator: Operate.
- Crew Leader: Lead.
- Maintenance Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Highway Maintenance Worker training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as patch a pothole that lasts and plow a highway route safely, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Highway Maintenance Worker vs. Paving Equipment Operator · Highway Maintenance Worker vs. Heavy Equipment Operator · Highway Maintenance Worker vs. Flagger · Highway Maintenance Worker vs. Truck Driver
Highway Maintenance Worker FAQ
Who hires highway maintenance workers?
State DOTs, counties and cities.
Do I need a CDL?
Often.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
How much does a highway maintenance worker make?
The median annual wage for highway maintenance workers was $50,260 ($24.16 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,230 and the highest 10% earned more than $71,970.
How long does it take to become a highway maintenance worker?
Most people need about Months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; a CDL is often required.
Do you need a degree to be a highway maintenance worker?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More highway maintenance worker questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-4051 (Highway maintenance workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Highway maintenance workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.