Career comparison
Highway Maintenance Worker vs. Pipelayer
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. $49,000), while pipelayers usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Highway maintenance workers keep highways safe by patching roads, plowing snow and maintaining signs. Pipelayers lay pipe in trenches for water, sewer and storm drain systems.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Highway Maintenance Worker | Pipelayer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $50,260 ($24.16/hr) | $49,000 ($23.56/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,230 – $71,970 | $37,730 – $80,170 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.4% (about as fast as average) | -3.1% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 11,800 | 2,100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | Months on the job | A few weeks on the job |
| Key credential | CDL | Competent person trench training |
| Work setting | Workers are outdoors on roads in all weather.. | Pipelayers work outdoors in trenches.. |
What each job does
Highway Maintenance Worker
- Patch pavement
- Plow snow
- Spread salt
- Mow and clear brush
- Repair guardrails
Pipelayer
- Grade trenches
- Lay pipe
- Join pipe sections
- Check grade
- Install fittings
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, hands-on work, physical work, and teamwork. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose highway maintenance worker if…
- I like outdoor work
- I like driving equipment
- I don’t mind storms
Choose pipelayer if…
- I like outdoor work
- I don’t mind mud
- I like teamwork
Still torn? Take the Highway Maintenance Worker fit quiz and the Pipelayer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, highway maintenance worker or pipelayer?
Highway Maintenance Workers earn more at the median: $50,260 versus $49,000 for pipelayers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Pipelayers typically train faster (A few weeks on the job) 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 -3.1% for pipelayers.