Highway Maintenance Worker salary in Knoxville, TN
Highway Maintenance Workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $44,110 a year ($21.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,270 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $50,260. Pay here is 4% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $46,070. There are 0.79 highway maintenance workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $45,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for highway maintenance workers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| 25th percentile | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| Median | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| 75th percentile | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,270 | $27.53 |
| Average (mean) | $45,450 | $21.85 |
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 | $3,675.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,837.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,696.54 |
| Weekly | $848.27 |
| Hourly | $21.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highway Maintenance Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $49,110 | 410 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,310 | 140 |
| Morristown, TN | $45,800 | 40 |
| Jackson, TN | $45,780 | 160 |
| Johnson City, TN | $45,780 | 80 |
| Cleveland, TN | $44,460 | 80 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $43,010 | 140 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $39,840 | 160 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $37,710 | 370 |
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 |
See Highway Maintenance Worker pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $75,280 | $36.19 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $38,740 | $18.63 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $39,110 | $18.81 |
| Construction Laborer | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Electrician | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Carpenter | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,690 | $23.41 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Roofer | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $40,420 | $19.44 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $38,250 | $18.39 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for highway maintenance workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $44,110 a year, or $21.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid highway maintenance workers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of highway maintenance workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $57,270 a year. The top 25% earn $56,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for highway maintenance workers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,040 a year, and a quarter of highway maintenance workers earn $39,030 or less.
How many highway maintenance workers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 330 highway maintenance workers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.