Career comparison
Bridge Tender vs. Highway Maintenance Worker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Bridge tenders earn more at the median ($57,700 vs. $50,260), while bridge tenders usually get to work faster (A few weeks of training of training). Bridge tenders open drawbridges and run canal locks so boats can pass. Highway maintenance workers keep highways safe by patching roads, plowing snow and maintaining signs.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Bridge Tender | Highway Maintenance Worker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $57,700 ($27.74/hr) | $50,260 ($24.16/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $28,090 – $75,360 | $36,230 – $71,970 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -2.3% (a projected decline) | +3.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 300 | 11,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few weeks of training | Months on the job |
| Key credential | Agency training | CDL |
| Work setting | Tenders work in bridge houses and lock control rooms.. | Workers are outdoors on roads in all weather.. |
What each job does
Bridge Tender
- Open and close bridges
- Stop traffic
- Operate locks
- Communicate with vessels
- Inspect equipment
Highway Maintenance Worker
- Patch pavement
- Plow snow
- Spread salt
- Mow and clear brush
- Repair guardrails
How they’re similar
Both careers involve steady routines. They sit in different fields, transportation & logistics and skilled trades & construction, but share transferable skills such as attention and reliability.
Which should you choose?
Choose bridge tender if…
- I like quiet work
- I pay attention
- I can work shifts
Choose highway maintenance worker if…
- I like outdoor work
- I like driving equipment
- I don’t mind storms
Still torn? Take the Bridge Tender fit quiz and the Highway Maintenance Worker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, bridge tender or highway maintenance worker?
Bridge Tenders earn more at the median: $57,700 versus $50,260 for highway maintenance workers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Bridge Tenders typically train faster (A few weeks of training) than highway maintenance workers (Months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects highway maintenance workers to grow +3.4% from 2025–35, compared with -2.3% for bridge tenders.