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Highway Maintenance Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Highway Maintenance Worker information

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$30.5K

$48.2K

$61.5K

How much do highway maintenance worker jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for highway maintenance worker in the United States is $48,201.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $54,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Highway Maintenance Worker vs Road Construction Worker?

AspectHighway Maintenance WorkerRoad Construction Worker
Required CertificationsDriver's license, safety trainingDriver's license, safety training
Work EnvironmentHighways, roads, maintenance sitesConstruction zones, new road projects
Employer & Industry UsageState and local transportation departmentsConstruction companies, contractors
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Highway Maintenance Workers focus on repairing and maintaining existing roads and infrastructure, ensuring safety and functionality. Road Construction Workers are involved in building new roads and infrastructure projects. While both roles require similar certifications and work in related environments, their primary responsibilities differ—maintenance versus construction.

What are some common challenges faced by highway maintenance workers on the job?

Highway maintenance workers often face challenges such as working in adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, or rain, which can impact both safety and productivity. Additionally, they must remain vigilant about traffic hazards, as much of their work occurs near active roadways. Managing heavy machinery and coordinating with team members to complete tasks efficiently while maintaining strict safety standards can also be demanding. Despite these challenges, proper training, teamwork, and adherence to safety protocols help ensure successful project completion.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Highway Maintenance Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Highway Maintenance Worker, you need a solid understanding of road construction, repair techniques, and safety protocols, typically supported by a high school diploma and a valid driver's license. Familiarity with heavy machinery, such as snow plows, asphalt rollers, and traffic control devices, as well as certifications like a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), is often required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in adverse weather conditions are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure safe, effective, and timely maintenance of public roadways.

What Does a Highway Maintenance Worker Do?

Highway maintenance workers keep roads clean and in good driving condition. Typical highway maintenance duties involve repairing guard rails, fixing highway signs and markers, removing debris and trash, mending snow fences, and driving heavy trucks to transport crews and equipment to work sites. Depending on the design of the roadway, highway maintenance workers may also mow grass and weeds along the roadside, inspect structures such as bridges, tunnels, and drainage systems for damage, and repair road shoulders. As a highway maintenance worker, your job duties vary depending on the climate where you live and work.

What are highway maintenance workers?

Highway maintenance workers are professionals responsible for maintaining and repairing roads, highways, and related infrastructure. Their duties include filling potholes, clearing debris, repairing guardrails, and ensuring proper signage and road markings. They also perform snow and ice removal during winter months and may assist in setting up traffic control devices for construction or emergencies. These workers help ensure that roads remain safe and accessible for drivers in all conditions.
What cities are hiring for Highway Maintenance Worker jobs? Cities with the most Highway Maintenance Worker job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Highway Maintenance Worker jobs? The top employers for Highway Maintenance Worker jobs are:
What states have the most Highway Maintenance Worker jobs? States with the most job openings for Highway Maintenance Worker jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Highway Maintenance Worker jobs? For Highway Maintenance Worker jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Highway Maintenance Worker job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,201 per year, or $23.2 per hour.
Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker

Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker

Department of Transportation

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$4K - $4K/mo

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


California Conservation Corps rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

403rd of 648 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Under the supervision of a Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor, a Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker will operate and service highway maintenance equipment identified as Levels of Equipment for Caltrans Landscape or Highway Maintenance Worker. The Highway Maintenance Worker will operate specified vehicles requiring a Class C driver's license including light trucks, automobiles, highway maintenance, bridge maintenance, emergency service, construction, or landscape equipment. The Highway Maintenance Worker will perform miscellaneous labor-intensive work in connection with both the Caltrans Landscape and Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker duties, and performs duties pertaining to highway maintenance, structures maintenance, emergency service, landscape, construction, and maintenance of safety roadside rest areas; and do related work as noted below. The Highway Maintenance Worker must maintain knowledge of all current mandated and applicable safety training and standards, policies, practices, directives, and expectations, and complies with all departmental training and safe work practice requirements.
The Highway Maintenance Worker may also be assigned to perform operational duties normally assigned to the other classifications as part of their normal assignment and be assigned to other units and/or geographical areas as operational needs dictate. The Highway Maintenance Worker may be called upon to provide training on equipment to other employees. Overnight travel out of town up to 80 percent of time may be a requirement to meet operational needs.
PARF# 10-26-0212 / JC-520360
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.
Permanent, intermittent positions and are not subject to Post and Bid. A permanent, intermittent employee may work up to 1,500 hours in any 12 consecutive months. The number of hours and schedule of work shall be determined based upon the operational needs of each department.
Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.
https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G
https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI
Apply today to join our team! We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool! The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Position located at 18935 Hwy 88, Markleeville, CA 96120
Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.
The Highway Maintenance Worker may be exposed to and work in loud noise, dust, chemicals, extreme weather conditions, great heights, confined spaces, uneven and unstable terrain, and next to vehicle traffic. The Highway Maintenance Worker will be required to wear all personal protective equipment and follow all policies, and procedures. Will be required to work rotating or irregular shifts, including weekends, nights, holidays, overtime, and be able to respond to after-hour emergencies.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
  • CALTRANS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER
Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-520360
Position #(s):
910-650-6287-918
Working Title:
Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker
Classification:
CALTRANS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER $4,102.00 - $4,865.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Alpine County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent Intermittent - 1500 Hours
Department Information
Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.
Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.
The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.
Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov
Director's EEO Policy : https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Director's EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Special Requirements
  • The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
  • The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
  • The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
  • The position(s) require(s) a valid and Class C driver's license.
  • Possession of a valid driver's license is required when operating a state owned or leased vehicle.
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 6/18/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Transportation
N/A
Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact
Certification Services MS-90
P O Box 168036
Sacramento , CA 95816-8036
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Transportation
Drop-Off Address
Caltrans DHR Contact
Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS
1727 30th Street, MS 90
Sacramento , CA 95816
Closed on weekends and State holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Benefits
Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Human Resources Contact:
Asia Cha
(209) 693-3987
asia.cha@dot.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Amber Burton
(209) 232-0220
amber.burton@dot.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Caltrans EEO Office
(844) 368-3367
Ask.eeo@dot.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Important Application Instructions:
The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-520360), PARF# 10-26-0212 and title of the position (Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker) must be included on the STD. 678 form.
Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.
Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.
NOTE: Do not submit the "Equal Employment Opportunity" questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver's license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.