Occupation · SOC 47-4051
Highway Maintenance Workers
Maintain highways, municipal and rural roads, airport runways, and rights-of-way. Duties include patching broken or eroded pavement and repairing guard rails, highway markers, and snow fences. May also mow or clear brush from along road, or plow snow from roadway.
Median wage
$49,070
$35,030–$69,210
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
151,750
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
40 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringMonitoringCoordinationSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningTroubleshootingSocial PerceptivenessQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingTime ManagementReading ComprehensionPersuasionEquipment MaintenanceService OrientationRepairingNegotiationInstructingActive LearningWritingMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisLearning StrategiesEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesInstallationProgrammingOperations AnalysisScience
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageTransportationBuilding and ConstructionEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementMechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceEngineering and TechnologyMathematicsProduction and ProcessingDesignGeographyLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesTelecommunicationsEconomics and AccountingChemistryPsychologyAdministrativePhysicsComputers and ElectronicsBiologySociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologySales and MarketingHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Database softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSpreadsheet softwareWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsGetting InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsAssisting and Caring for OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersSelling or Influencing OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesTraining and Teaching OthersThinking CreativelyJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming Administrative ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesAnalyzing Data or InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersProcessing InformationWorking with ComputersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsCoaching and Developing OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Traffic control signs and cones — place and position around active work zones under direct supervisor guidance on a public roadway.Flagging paddle and hand signals — apply to warn approaching motorists of obstacles or repair work ahead under close crew supervision.Basic hand tools and power tools — identify and use to assist with guardrail and highway marker installation under direct oversight.Debris and litter — collect and remove from roadway shoulders and drainage structures with hand tools under assigned crew direction.Sand and gravel materials — assist in hauling and spreading by hand to fill minor washouts under supervisor instruction at a road shoulder site.Work zone safety protocols — follow established procedures to protect crew members and the traveling public during routine maintenance tasks.Crew vehicles and light trucks — ride along and assist with loading equipment and supplies for transport to highway maintenance sites.Drainage structures including culverts and catch basins — assist in clearing debris under direct guidance during scheduled maintenance operations.Oral instructions from crew leads — listen and respond accurately to task assignments during daily highway maintenance operations.Personal protective equipment including high-visibility vests and hard hats — don and wear correctly on every roadway work site.
developing
Traffic control devices including signs, cones, and barricades — set out and retrieve according to standard traffic control plans with minimal supervision on state highway projects.Flagging operations — execute independently to direct motorists safely past active repair zones in varying traffic and weather conditions.Light trucks and crew transport vehicles — drive to move personnel and equipment to assigned highway maintenance locations following established routes.Guardrails, road markers, and warning signals — install and repair using hand tools and power tools with routine accuracy on highway corridors.Culverts, drop inlets, and roadside ditches — clean and clear of sediment and debris during scheduled preventive maintenance cycles.Heavy equipment with adjustable attachments — operate to sweep paved surfaces, mow roadside vegetation, or spread sand and salt during seasonal maintenance.Preventive maintenance tasks on crew vehicles and equipment — perform routine checks and minor servicing according to agency maintenance schedules.Sand, gravel, and clay materials — haul by truck and spread mechanically to restore washed-out road shoulders and unpaved sections.Changing site conditions such as weather or unexpected hazards — recognize and report to crew lead while adjusting work pace appropriately.Work orders and daily activity logs — complete legibly using standard agency forms to document tasks performed and materials used.
proficient
Complex traffic control setups for multi-lane highway work zones — design, lay out, and verify compliance with MUTCD standards without supervisor review.Flagging and signaling operations in high-traffic or low-visibility conditions — manage independently, adjusting techniques to maintain public safety throughout the shift.Full range of highway maintenance tasks including guardrail replacement, shoulder repair, and drainage restoration — execute autonomously across varied terrain and weather.Heavy equipment including motor graders, snowplows, and mowers with specialized attachments — operate proficiently to complete snow removal, grading, and vegetation control assignments.Preventive and minor corrective maintenance on a variety of highway maintenance vehicles and power tools — diagnose common faults and perform repairs to minimize downtime.Drainage system performance including culverts, basins, and ditches — assess condition, prioritize cleaning needs, and complete corrective work before failures develop.Washout and road damage events — respond promptly, haul and place fill materials, and restore road shoulders to serviceable condition within required timeframes.Non-routine maintenance problems such as storm damage or equipment breakdowns — apply problem-solving skills to develop practical field solutions under operational pressure.Crew coordination during simultaneous multi-task operations — direct daily work assignments effectively to ensure safety and efficiency on active roadway sites.Incident documentation and condition reports — prepare accurate written summaries of damage, repairs, and material usage using agency database or reporting software.
advanced
Highway maintenance work programs for an assigned district or region — plan, schedule, and allocate crew and equipment resources to meet seasonal and annual maintenance targets.Work zone safety standards and agency traffic control policies — interpret, update, and enforce across all crew operations to sustain compliance with state and federal requirements.New maintenance workers and apprentices — train, mentor, and evaluate on equipment operation, safety protocols, and quality standards throughout on-the-job learning periods.Maintenance performance data and inspection findings — analyze using agency database and spreadsheet software to identify deteriorating assets and prioritize corrective action.Emergency response operations for severe weather, flooding, or major road damage — lead multi-crew mobilizations to restore safe travel conditions on critical highway corridors.Equipment fleet condition and preventive maintenance schedules — oversee to maximize operational readiness and recommend procurement or replacement decisions to management.Cross-agency coordination with transportation planners, public safety officials, and contractors — represent the maintenance unit in meetings to align project schedules and safety plans.Budget estimates for materials, labor, and equipment for seasonal maintenance programs — develop and justify using historical data and field assessments presented to district management.Safety culture and worksite discipline — model and reinforce dependability, cautiousness, and attention to detail across all crew levels through consistent leadership practices.After-action reviews following major incidents or project completions — facilitate structured debriefs to capture lessons learned and update standard operating procedures for the district.
Also known as
47 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Asphalt RakerCaltrans Equipment OperatorCertified FlaggerConstruction FlaggerEquipment Operator (EO)FlaggerHighway MaintainerHighway Maintenance Crew WorkerHighway Maintenance TechnicianHighway Maintenance WorkerHighway Technician (Highway Tech)Highway Technician AssociateHighway WorkerHot OilerLane Marker InstallerMaintenance AideMaintenance OperatorMaintenance RepairerMaintenance TechnicianMaintenance WorkerMaterial HandlerMaterials Handling Equipment OperatorOil Spreader OperatorQuick TechnicianRoad BuilderRoad Crew MemberRoad Maintenance WorkerRoad MakerRoad MenderRoad OilerRoad Oiling Truck DriverRoad PatcherRoad RepairerRoad Sign InstallerRoad WorkerSnow Plow OperatorStreet WorkerTraffic Control FlaggerTraffic Control LaborerTraffic Control Specialist