Highway Maintenance Workers
Highway maintenance workers keep our roads, highways, and airport runways safe and smooth for everyone to use. They operate heavy machinery like snowplows and street sweepers, patch potholes, repair guardrails, and clear debris from roadways. These workers collaborate in teams to set up traffic control zones and perform preventative maintenance on equipment. The job requires physical stamina, mechanical skills, and often involves working outdoors in various weather conditions.
Did you know?
Road maintenance technicians face significant safety risks working near traffic and operating heavy equipment, requiring strict adherence to OSHA safety protocols and physical fitness.
At a glance
Typical average pay
$49,400 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top skill
Operation and Control
Things to consider
Government Employment Benefits
Most positions are with state or local government agencies, offering job security, comprehensive health benefits, and pension plans typical of public sector employment.
Seasonal Work Variations
Work demands fluctuate significantly with weather patterns, particularly in northern states where winter snow removal and spring pothole repair create peak activity periods.
Key responsibilities
Set out signs and cones around work areas to divert traffic.
Drive heavy equipment and vehicles with adjustable attachments to sweep debris from paved surfaces, mow grass and weeds, remove snow and ice, and spread salt and sand.
Blend compounds to form adhesive mixtures used for marker installation.
Erect, install, or repair guardrails, road shoulders, berms, highway markers, warning signals, and highway lighting, using hand tools and power tools.
Perform roadside landscaping work, such as clearing weeds and brush, and planting and trimming trees.