Highway Maintenance Worker Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Highway Maintenance Workers in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$48,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $50,260
State Rank
#32 of 49
2,290 employed here

How much does a Highway Maintenance Worker make in South Carolina?

A Highway Maintenance Worker working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $48,130 per year, or about $23.14 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $50,260 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $37,740 while the top 10% make $60,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,910 and $53,880 a year.

Highway Maintenance Worker salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,740$18.14
25th percentile (early career)$42,910$20.63
50th percentile (median)$48,130$23.14
75th percentile (experienced)$53,880$25.90
90th percentile (top earners)$60,780$29.22

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 32nd out of 49 states and territories for Highway Maintenance Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$65,330
2Washington$65,300
3Connecticut$64,870
4Minnesota$63,150
5Illinois$61,700

Working as a Highway Maintenance Worker in South Carolina

Nationally, about 155,000 people work as Highway Maintenance Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($48,130) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Highway Maintenance Worker make in South Carolina?
The median Highway Maintenance Worker salary in South Carolina is $48,130 per year, or about $23.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,740 at the entry level to $60,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Highway Maintenance Workers about 4% less than the national median of $50,260. South Carolina ranks 32nd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Highway Maintenance Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,130 a year. About 2,290 Highway Maintenance Workers are employed in South Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Highway Maintenance Worker salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.