Hiring guide · Skilled Trades & Construction
How to Hire a Highway Maintenance Worker
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring highway maintenance workers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $50,260), recruit through registered apprenticeship programs and union halls, verify CDL where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for highway maintenance workers
There are about 161,800 highway maintenance workers employed in the U.S., with roughly 11,800 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +3.4% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $36,230–$43,500 | $17.42–$20.91 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $50,260 | $24.16 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $71,970 | $34.60 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Snowplowing
- Reliability
Nice-to-haves
- CDL
- Flagger certification
- Chainsaw safety
- Experience with plow trucks
Where to find highway maintenance workers
- Registered apprenticeship programs and union halls
- Trade and technical school placement offices
- Pre-apprenticeship and veterans programs
- Referrals from current crew members
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Road Maintenance Worker, Highway Worker, DOT Maintenance Worker, Snowplow Driver
Screening checklist
- Verify state licenses (apprentice registration, journeyworker, master) where required
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards and prior safety record
- Valid driver’s license and driving record if operating company vehicles
- A practical skills test or supervised trial task
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Do you have a CDL?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
2. “Can you work storm call-ins?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
3. “How do you stay safe near traffic?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “Have you run equipment?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
5. “Why highway work?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Patch a Pothole That Lasts (see the steps)
- Plow a Highway Route Safely (see the steps)
- Set Up a Highway Work Zone (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Pothole, Cold patch, Hot mix
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Highway Maintenance Worker 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Highway Maintenance Worker training. Show them the path forward: Maintenance Worker → Equipment Operator → Crew Leader → Maintenance Supervisor.
Hiring highway maintenance workers: FAQ
How much should I pay a highway maintenance worker?
The U.S. median wage for highway maintenance workers is $50,260 per year ($24.16/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($43,500), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($61,040). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a highway maintenance worker have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for CDL and Flagger certification where relevant, plus skills such as snowplowing, pavement patching, and equipment operation.
How long does it take to train a new highway maintenance worker?
Becoming qualified typically takes Months on the job. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “moderate-term on-the-job training.”