Highway Maintenance Workers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, highway maintenance workers earn $76,980 at the median — $37.01 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $135K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $69,716 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 69.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $77K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About highway maintenance workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level highway maintenance workers (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K.Top earners bring in $135K or more - a $79K spread from bottom to top.
Highway Maintenance Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $64K | +30% | 2,110 |
| Washington | $63K | +29% | 2,620 |
| Oregon | $63K | +28% | 1,670 |
| Alaska | $62K | +26% | 50 |
| Minnesota | $61K | +24% | 3,860 |
| North Dakota | $61K | +24% | 1,200 |
| Montana | $61K | +24% | 1,020 |
| Massachusetts | $59K | +21% | 1,840 |
| California | $58K | +19% | 7,770 |
| Illinois | $58K | +18% | 11,050 |
| Iowa | $57K | +16% | 4,400 |
| Vermont | $56K | +15% | 1,020 |
| Wisconsin | $55K | +12% | 5,530 |
| Maryland | $54K | +11% | 700 |
| Rhode Island | $54K | +10% | 600 |
Track highway maintenance workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do highway maintenance workers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $76,980 a year - that works out to about $37.01 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,320, and experienced highway maintenance workers can clear $134,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,937/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 70.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a highway maintenance workers salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median highway maintenance workers salary is worth about $69,716 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do highway maintenance workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.