What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Highway Maintenance Workers in the U.S. earn more than $50,260 a year — the middle 80% land between $36,230 and $71,970. About 154,960 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Highway Maintenance Workers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Craft and related trades workers earn about ₹16,825 a month on average — around ₹2.0 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$50,260typical pay / year
154,960people in this work
$71,970+top 10% earn
₹2.0 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Care3
Perform routine inspections of roads
+Inspect Northbound Route 5 between Mile 12 and Mile 14: walk the shoulders and pavement, note potholes, faded…
Perform routine inspections of roads
+Inspect Northbound Route 5 between Mile 12 and Mile 14: walk the shoulders and pavement, note potholes, faded line paint, and drainage blockages, photograph hazards with location references, complete the inspection form and send findings to the supervisor by end of shift.
The tools that do the workWeb browserESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Mow or clear brush along roads
+Clear brush along County Road 22 from the school driveway to the bridge: mow back vegetation to a two-metre…
Mow or clear brush along roads
+Clear brush along County Road 22 from the school driveway to the bridge: mow back vegetation to a two-metre clear zone, remove cuttings from the carriageway, place debris in the designated collection point, and notify the supervisor if any buried utilities are exposed.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Remove litter and debris from roadways
+Walk the southbound curb on Route 9 from Elm to Oak, collect and bag all litter and large debris, remove any…
Remove litter and debris from roadways
+Walk the southbound curb on Route 9 from Elm to Oak, collect and bag all litter and large debris, remove any hazardous material into the yellow container, record quantities and pickup locations and upload the report with photos.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing2
Patch cracks
+Patch transverse cracks on Elm Street between 3rd and 5th Avenue: clean debris from cracks, apply hotpour…
Patch cracks
+Patch transverse cracks on Elm Street between 3rd and 5th Avenue: clean debris from cracks, apply hotpour filler in two passes, compact to road level, mark the patched sections with cones until cured, and record material used and time taken in today's job log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptions
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Perform snow and ice control activities
+Treat the bridge deck on County Road 14 with salt and sand between 02:00 and 04:00, run the pre-treat spray…
Perform snow and ice control activities
+Treat the bridge deck on County Road 14 with salt and sand between 02:00 and 04:00, run the pre-treat spray on the ramps, monitor temperature and road surface, refill spreader as needed and report treated sections by mile marker.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Move1
Set out signs and cones to divert traffic
+Set up the lane closure on Main Street between 3rd and 6th, place advance warning signs at the corner of Pine…
Set out signs and cones to divert traffic
+Set up the lane closure on Main Street between 3rd and 6th, place advance warning signs at the corner of Pine and Main, position cones and arrow boards to guide traffic into the detour, then photograph the layout and log start time.
The tools that do the workWeb browserjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Follow health and safety procedures in construction
+Run the morning safety briefing for Site 7A, confirm everyone has high-visibility gear, breathing protection,…
Follow health and safety procedures in construction
+Run the morning safety briefing for Site 7A, confirm everyone has high-visibility gear, breathing protection, traffic barriers and first-aid kit, inspect the hot works permit and plant lockout records, then log any hazards and next steps in the site safety file before shift start.
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Types of asphalt coverings
+Compile the reference sheet of current asphalt coverings for the crew: list dense-graded mix, stone mastic…
Types of asphalt coverings
+Compile the reference sheet of current asphalt coverings for the crew: list dense-graded mix, stone mastic asphalt, thin surface course and cold lay, note typical uses, compaction temps, and handling precautions, then print and post on the tool van before the afternoon shift.
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Drive trucks to transport crews and equipment
+Drive the crew truck from the depot to Maple Avenue worksite at 06:30, load five crew members and tools,…
Drive trucks to transport crews and equipment
+Drive the crew truck from the depot to Maple Avenue worksite at 06:30, load five crew members and tools, follow the route with the signed load manifest, stop for safety brief at 06:45, return empty to depot by 17:00.
The tools that do the workWeb browserjob descriptionsO*NET
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Apply oil to road surfaces, using sprayers.
+Apply tack oil to the eastbound lane of Route 9 between Oak Street and Pine Street with the sprayer truck,…
Apply oil to road surfaces, using sprayers.
+Apply tack oil to the eastbound lane of Route 9 between Oak Street and Pine Street with the sprayer truck, calibrate nozzle to 0.08 l/m2, maintain 8 km/h, flag traffic, and record start and finish times on the site log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Inspect markers to verify accurate installation.
+Walk the southbound shoulder of Route 12 and inspect every raised marker from mile 2.1 to 4.6, note missing…
Inspect markers to verify accurate installation.
+Walk the southbound shoulder of Route 12 and inspect every raised marker from mile 2.1 to 4.6, note missing or misaligned units with photos and GPS points, tag urgent defects for immediate replacement, then submit the inspection sheet.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Paint traffic control lines and place pavement traffic messages, by hand or using machines.
+Paint two sets of stop lines and crosswalk markings on Elm Street between 8th and 10th at night, set layout…
Paint traffic control lines and place pavement traffic messages, by hand or using machines.
+Paint two sets of stop lines and crosswalk markings on Elm Street between 8th and 10th at night, set layout from the tape measure and chalk guides, run the line striping machine at 3 passes for opacity and backfill any gaps by hand.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Blend compounds to form adhesive mixtures used for marker installation.
+Measure and weigh adhesive components on site, blend epoxy and filler to the specified 3:1 ratio in the…
Blend compounds to form adhesive mixtures used for marker installation.
+Measure and weigh adhesive components on site, blend epoxy and filler to the specified 3:1 ratio in the mixing drum, check viscosity, label the batch, and escort the mixture to the marker team for immediate use.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Perform repairs when called for
+Respond to the roadside repair call at 14:00: load repair kit, travel to 240 River Road, assess the damage,…
Perform repairs when called for
+Respond to the roadside repair call at 14:00: load repair kit, travel to 240 River Road, assess the damage, perform temporary cold patch or marker reset as needed, document the repair and notify the supervisor when cleared.
The tools that do the workWeb browserESCO
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Use safety equipment in construction
+Put on the hard hat, high-visibility vest, gloves, and respirator, check that the harness, safety boots, and…
Use safety equipment in construction
+Put on the hard hat, high-visibility vest, gloves, and respirator, check that the harness, safety boots, and eye protection fit, run a head-to-toe PPE checklist, then report any defects to Jose on site before we start milling at 07:00.
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Remove road surface
+Set up the lane closures and warning signs with Miguel, verify the saw and milling machine are refuelled and…
Remove road surface
+Set up the lane closures and warning signs with Miguel, verify the saw and milling machine are refuelled and secured, then remove the top road surface in 10-foot strips keeping the edges straight and handing tamped pieces to the loader operator.
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Inspect asphalt
+Walk the patched lane, take core samples from three random spots, record surface temperature and asphalt…
Inspect asphalt
+Walk the patched lane, take core samples from three random spots, record surface temperature and asphalt depth, photograph any cracks wider than a quarter inch and log findings for Miguel before he orders a rebind or new mix.
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Transport construction supplies
+Load the pallets of cold mix, cones, and steel plates into the crew truck, secure with straps rated for the…
Transport construction supplies
+Load the pallets of cold mix, cones, and steel plates into the crew truck, secure with straps rated for the load, deliver to the northbound worksite, and hand off the manifest to Carla at arrival with time stamped confirmation.
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Mechanical tools
+Inspect the jackhammer, plate compactor, and generator; change the air filter on the compactor, grease the…
Mechanical tools
+Inspect the jackhammer, plate compactor, and generator; change the air filter on the compactor, grease the jackhammer fittings, test the generator under load, and log serial numbers and service notes in the equipment ledger before shift end.
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Inspect construction supplies
+Count incoming bags of cement, glue, and asphalt emulsion, check packaging integrity, set aside any damaged…
Inspect construction supplies
+Count incoming bags of cement, glue, and asphalt emulsion, check packaging integrity, set aside any damaged pallets, photograph and note batch numbers, then send a damage report and requested replacements to procurement and foreman Raul.
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses