Highway Maintenance Worker salary in Kentucky
Highway Maintenance Workers in Kentucky earn a median of $40,400 a year ($19.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,750 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $50,260. Kentucky ranks 44th of 49 states for highway maintenance workers pay. There are 1.5 highway maintenance workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for highway maintenance workers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,030 | $14.44 |
| 25th percentile | $37,200 | $17.88 |
| Median | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| 75th percentile | $46,750 | $22.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Average (mean) | $41,960 | $20.18 |
Half of highway maintenance workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,366.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,683.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,553.85 |
| Weekly | $776.92 |
| Hourly | $19.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highway Maintenance Worker salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $48,970 | 940 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $47,160 | 180 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,570 | 490 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $45,530 | 210 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $45,080 | 80 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $43,010 | 140 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $42,490 | 100 |
| Owensboro, KY | $40,400 | 50 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $39,350 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for highway maintenance workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $65,330 |
| Washington | $65,300 |
| Connecticut | $64,870 |
| Minnesota | $63,150 |
| Illinois | $61,700 |
| Massachusetts | $61,500 |
| Montana | $60,960 |
| North Dakota | $60,630 |
| California | $59,580 |
| Iowa | $58,490 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $47,640 | $22.91 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $43,980 | $21.15 |
| Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators | $73,120 | $35.16 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $42,670 | $20.51 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Electrician | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $73,490 | $35.33 |
| Carpenter | $52,680 | $25.33 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $64,160 | $30.84 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,680 | $29.17 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,110 | $23.13 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-4051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a highway maintenance worker make in Kentucky?
The median salary for highway maintenance workers in Kentucky is $40,400 a year, or $19.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid highway maintenance workers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of highway maintenance workers in Kentucky earn at least $50,750 a year. The top 25% earn $46,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for highway maintenance workers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,030 a year, and a quarter of highway maintenance workers earn $37,200 or less.
How many highway maintenance workers work in Kentucky?
About 3,030 highway maintenance workers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.