Average Highway Maintenance Workers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Highway Maintenance Workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, earn an impressive average annual salary of $85,340, significantly surpassing the national average of $50,740. This substantial difference is largely driven by the high cost of living and the specialized infrastructure needs inherent to the technologically advanced Bay Area, demanding a higher compensation to attract and retain skilled professionals.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $85,340 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 18.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $134,580.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 350 Highway Maintenance Workers and a Location Quotient of 0.31, the job market in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, indicates a specialized, rather than overabundant, presence of this role. While the concentration is below the national average, suggesting fewer jobs per capita compared to other regions, the existing workforce size points to a stable demand for these essential services within the metropolitan area.
Salary Overview
The average Highway Maintenance Workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns+68.2%above the national average.
$41
$1,641
$7,112
Highway Maintenance Workers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Highway Maintenance Workers in a high-demand area like San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, have experienced consistent growth over the past four years. Factors such as inflation, increased infrastructure investment, and the rising cost of living likely contribute to an upward trend in compensation for these vital public service roles.
Highway Maintenance Workers Salary Distribution in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The salary trajectory for Highway Maintenance Workers typically scales with experience and specialized certifications. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive knowledge of complex infrastructure repair and maintenance can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify career progression and the increasing value placed on expertise and responsibility within the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT. | 10% (Entry) | $55,320 | $26.6 |
| JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks. | 25% (Junior) | $64,005 | $30.8 |
| Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting. | 50% (Median) | $76,980 | $37 |
| Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance. | 75% (Senior) | $106,675 | $51.3 |
| SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman. | 90% (Expert) | $134,580 | $64.7 |
Detailed Highway Maintenance Workers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$85,340
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$85,340
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average salary of $85,340 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the gross salary is considerably higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is effectively neutralized by the local cost of living, indicating that the higher pay is necessary to maintain a comparable standard of living to national averages.
Job Market Context
350
Total Jobs
0.306
Per 1K Jobs
0.31
Location Quotient
At 0.31x, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a notably lower concentration of Highway Maintenance Workers jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.
A Location Quotient of 0.31 for Highway Maintenance Workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, suggests that this occupation is less concentrated in this metropolitan area compared to the national average. This could imply a more specialized or niche market for these roles, potentially leading to less competition for qualified individuals, but also indicating that the overall demand, relative to the total workforce, is lower than in other regions.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Highway Maintenance Workers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Highway Maintenance Workers Salary | $65,860↓ 23% | 42 mi |
| Salinas, CA Highway Maintenance Workers Salary | $65,030↓ 24% | 47 mi |
| Modesto, CA Highway Maintenance Workers Salary | $56,560↓ 34% | 53 mi |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA Highway Maintenance Workers Salary | $59,790↓ 30% | 54 mi |
Comparing salaries near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Hiring Highway Maintenance Workerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Highway Maintenance Workers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median annual salary for a Highway Maintenance Workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $85,340. This typically ranges from $55,320 for entry-level positions to $134,580 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 68.2% higher than the national median of $50,740.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a lucrative place for Highway Maintenance Workerss?
Yes, but with caveats.The average salary of $85,340 is significantly higher than the national average, offering substantial nominal earnings. However, the local cost of living is also at the national average, meaning the increased salary primarily offsets higher local expenses rather than providing a significant boost in disposable income.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a good place to live for Highway Maintenance Workers?
The Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($65,860) and Salinas, CA.
How does the local workforce size affect job prospects?
A local workforce of 350 Highway Maintenance Workers suggests a stable, established presence of this profession in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area, indicating consistent demand for their services.
What does a Location Quotient of 0.31 mean for job seekers?
A Location Quotient below 1.0, like 0.31, means Highway Maintenance Workers are less concentrated here than the national average, implying fewer job openings relative to the total workforce compared to other areas.
How does the cost of living impact the Highway Maintenance Worker salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the high salary of $85,340 is necessary to maintain a standard of living equivalent to the national average, as local expenses match the national benchmark.
Are there many Highway Maintenance Worker jobs per capita in San Jose?
With 0.306 jobs per 1,000 workers, the density of Highway Maintenance Worker positions is relatively low, suggesting that while the role is present, it's not a dominant occupation within the local job market.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 350 employees in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area with a job density of 0.306 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Highway Maintenance Workers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA