Career comparison
Flagger vs. Highway Maintenance Worker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Highway maintenance workers earn more at the median ($50,260 vs. $38,100), while flaggers usually get to work faster (1 day of training). Flaggers direct traffic safely through road work zones to protect crews and drivers. 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
| Flagger | Highway Maintenance Worker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $38,100 ($18.32/hr) | $50,260 ($24.16/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $30,840 – $61,690 | $36,230 – $71,970 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.5% (about as fast as average) | +3.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 17,300 | 11,800 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1 day | Months on the job |
| Key credential | State flagger certification card | CDL |
| Work setting | Flaggers work outdoors next to live traffic on highways, city streets and rural roads, in heat, cold, rain and at night. | Workers are outdoors on roads in all weather.. |
What each job does
Flagger
- Set up at the flagger station with proper signs and an escape route
- Stop, slow and release traffic using a STOP/SLOW paddle
- Coordinate with other flaggers by radio
- Guide pedestrians and cyclists safely through the work zone
- Watch for errant or distracted drivers
Highway Maintenance Worker
- Patch pavement
- Plow snow
- Spread salt
- Mow and clear brush
- Repair guardrails
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors and steady routines. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose flagger if…
- I can stay alert and focused for hours
- I don’t mind standing outdoors in all weather
- I stay calm when drivers are frustrated
Choose highway maintenance worker if…
- I like outdoor work
- I like driving equipment
- I don’t mind storms
Still torn? Take the Flagger fit quiz and the Highway Maintenance Worker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, flagger or highway maintenance worker?
Highway Maintenance Workers earn more at the median: $50,260 versus $38,100 for flaggers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Flaggers typically train faster (1 day) than highway maintenance workers (Months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects flaggers to grow +3.5% from 2025–35, compared with +3.4% for highway maintenance workers.