Highway Maintenance Worker salary in Tennessee
Highway Maintenance Workers in Tennessee earn a median of $46,070 a year ($22.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,270 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $50,260. Tennessee ranks 37th of 49 states for highway maintenance workers pay. There are 0.70 highway maintenance workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $46,070, close to the median.
Pay range for highway maintenance workers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| 25th percentile | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Median | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| 75th percentile | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,270 | $27.53 |
| Average (mean) | $46,070 | $22.15 |
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 | $3,839.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,919.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,771.92 |
| Weekly | $885.96 |
| Hourly | $22.15 |
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 Tennessee
| 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $44,110 | 330 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| Fence Erector | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Electrician | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Carpenter | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,910 | $23.04 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for highway maintenance workers in Tennessee is $46,070 a year, or $22.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid highway maintenance workers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of highway maintenance workers in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,180 a year, and a quarter of highway maintenance workers earn $38,040 or less.
How many highway maintenance workers work in Tennessee?
About 2,280 highway maintenance workers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.