Highway Maintenance Workers vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Highway Maintenance Workers out-earn Construction Laborers by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Highway Maintenance Workers land at $50,260 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: highway maintenance worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Highway Maintenance Workers is Oregon ($65,330); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Highway Maintenance Workers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Highway Maintenance Workers or Construction Laborers?
Highway Maintenance Workers earn more nationally. The median is $50,260 for Highway Maintenance Workers versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Highway Maintenance Workers or Construction Laborers?
Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to 3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Highway Maintenance Workers or Construction Laborers?
Highway Maintenance Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Highway Maintenance Workers get paid the most?
Oregon is the top-paying state for Highway Maintenance Workers at $65,330/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Highway Maintenance Workers vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Oregon, Highway Maintenance Workers earn $65,330 vs. $50,860 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.