Highway Maintenance Worker Salary in Tennessee (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$46,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $50,260
State Rank
#37 of 49
2,280 employed here

How much does a Highway Maintenance Worker make in Tennessee?

A Highway Maintenance Worker working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $46,070 per year, or about $22.15 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $50,260 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $32,180 while the top 10% make $57,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,040 and $56,220 a year.

Highway Maintenance Worker salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,180$15.47
25th percentile (early career)$38,040$18.29
50th percentile (median)$46,070$22.15
75th percentile (experienced)$56,220$27.03
90th percentile (top earners)$57,270$27.53

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 37th 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee pay ($46,070) 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 Tennessee?
The median Highway Maintenance Worker salary in Tennessee is $46,070 per year, or about $22.15 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,180 at the entry level to $57,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Highway Maintenance Workers about 8% less than the national median of $50,260. Tennessee ranks 37th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Highway Maintenance Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,070 a year. About 2,280 Highway Maintenance Workers are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Highway Maintenance Worker salary report

Related salaries

Hazardous Material Removal Workers

$49,450
median pay · 52,000 employed

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

$67,890
median pay · 13,000 employed

Stonemason

$57,390
median pay · 8,000 employed

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

$56,460
median pay · 24,000 employed

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

$62,780
median pay · 68,000 employed

Electrician

$63,190
median pay · 757,000 employed
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.