Highway Maintenance Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Highway Maintenance Workers Make?
Highway Maintenance Workers earn a median annual salary of $49,070 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,030 at the 10th percentile to $69,210 at the 90th percentile — a range of $34,180. The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $63,770.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,030 |
| 25th percentile | $41,540 |
| Median (50th) | $49,070 |
| 75th percentile | $59,600 |
| 90th percentile | $69,210 |
Highway Maintenance Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticuttop | $63,770 |
| Washington | $63,420 |
| Oregon | $62,990 |
| Alaska | $61,910 |
| Minnesota | $60,900 |
| North Dakota | $60,830 |
| Montana | $60,730 |
| Massachusetts | $59,240 |
| California | $58,300 |
| Illinois | $58,130 |
| Iowa | $56,800 |
| Colorado | $56,440 |
| Vermont | $56,420 |
| Wisconsin | $54,780 |
| Maryland | $54,300 |
| Rhode Island | $54,080 |
| Utah | $52,470 |
| New York | $52,010 |
| New Jersey | $50,700 |
| Michigan | $49,600 |
| Idaho | $49,440 |
| Virginia | $49,360 |
| New Hampshire | $49,200 |
| Wyoming | $48,590 |
| Indiana | $48,570 |
| Ohio | $47,990 |
| Arizona | $47,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,680 |
| South Dakota | $47,650 |
| Maine | $47,380 |
| Nebraska | $47,080 |
| Tennessee | $47,000 |
| Nevada | $46,300 |
| Missouri | $46,280 |
| New Mexico | $46,250 |
| West Virginia | $45,310 |
| Kansas | $45,170 |
| North Carolina | $43,760 |
| Texas | $42,180 |
| Delaware | $40,380 |
| Louisiana | $40,020 |
| Florida | $39,390 |
| Oklahoma | $38,780 |
| Arkansas | $38,070 |
| South Carolina | $38,000 |
| Georgia | $37,120 |
| Kentucky | $36,900 |
| Alabama | $36,050 |
| Mississippi | $34,090 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Highway Maintenance Workers
Highway Maintenance Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$35,030 – $41,540 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$49,070 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$59,600 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $69,210+ |
How to Earn More as a Highway Maintenance Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Highway Maintenance Workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $76,980 — $27,910 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($59,600) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Highway Maintenance Worker Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Highway Maintenance Workerthis career | $49,070 |
| Transportation Engineer | $99,590 |
| Construction Laborer | $46,730 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator | $51,650 |
| Pile Driver Operator | $70,510 |
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SOC: 47-4051.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.