Career comparison
Highway Maintenance Worker vs. Truck Driver
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Truck drivers earn more at the median ($58,640 vs. $50,260), while truck drivers usually get to work faster (3–7 weeks of training). Highway maintenance workers keep highways safe by patching roads, plowing snow and maintaining signs. Truck drivers haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Highway Maintenance Worker | Truck Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $50,260 ($24.16/hr) | $58,640 ($28.19/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,230 – $71,970 | $40,140 – $79,380 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.4% (about as fast as average) | +3.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 11,800 | 214,500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | Months on the job | 3–7 weeks |
| Key credential | CDL | CDL Class A |
| Work setting | Workers are outdoors on roads in all weather.. | Drivers spend most of the day in the truck cab, sometimes loading or unloading at docks. |
What each job does
Highway Maintenance Worker
- Patch pavement
- Plow snow
- Spread salt
- Mow and clear brush
- Repair guardrails
Truck Driver
- Inspect trucks and trailers before and after trips
- Plan routes considering weight, height, traffic and weather
- Drive safely while following traffic laws and federal regulations
- Record hours of service with an electronic logging device (ELD)
- Secure cargo and verify loads against shipping documents
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors and steady routines. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and transportation & logistics, but share transferable skills such as reliability and independence and self-discipline.
Which should you choose?
Choose highway maintenance worker if…
- I like outdoor work
- I like driving equipment
- I don’t mind storms
Choose truck driver if…
- I like working independently
- I enjoy driving and don’t mind long hours on the road
- I want to start earning within a couple of months
Still torn? Take the Highway Maintenance Worker fit quiz and the Truck Driver fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, highway maintenance worker or truck driver?
Truck Drivers earn more at the median: $58,640 versus $50,260 for highway maintenance workers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Truck Drivers typically train faster (3–7 weeks) than highway maintenance workers (Months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects truck drivers to grow +3.8% from 2025–35, compared with +3.4% for highway maintenance workers.