AITakeover Tracker
22%low risk

Highway Maintenance Workers

Maintain highways, municipal and rural roads, airport runways, and rights-of-way. Duties include patching broken or eroded pavement, repairing guard rails, highway markers, and snow fences. May also mow or clear brush from along road or plow snow from roadway.

Higher risk than 12% of occupations

AI Impact Summary

Highway Maintenance Workers faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 22/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 12% of all analyzed occupations. Of 19 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (11)

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Equipment Maintenance78%

Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (7)

MonitoringCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningWritingSystems AnalysisTechnology Design

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Highway Maintenance Workers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.8pt risk+$2K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Pluralsightbeginner

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path

by Pluralsight

30 hours$29/mo4.5Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Monitoring

Estimated Impact

-4.9pt risk+$2K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Leading People and Teams Specialization

by University of Michigan

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Leadership

Estimated Impact

-3.5pt risk+$3K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

Less than High School5%
High School Diploma88%
Some College1%
Associate's Degree5%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None16%
6 months - 1 year42%
1-2 years16%
2-4 years25%
8-10 years1%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None16%
Up to 1 month17%
1-3 months9%
3-6 months21%
6 months - 1 year6%
1-2 years31%
4-6 years1%

How AI Impacts Each Task

19 tasks analyzed

Set out signs and cones around work areas to divert traffic.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 5%

Flag motorists to warn them of obstacles or repair work ahead.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 8%

Perform preventative maintenance on vehicles and heavy equipment.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 5%

Drive trucks to transport crews and equipment to work sites.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 5%

Erect, install, or repair guardrails, road shoulders, berms, highway markers, warning signals, and highway lighting, using hand tools and power tools.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 8%

Clean and clear debris from culverts, catch basins, drop inlets, ditches, and other drain structures.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 6%

Drive heavy equipment and vehicles with adjustable attachments to sweep debris from paved surfaces, mow grass and weeds, remove snow and ice, and spread salt and sand.

Risk: 19.0%AI: 25EstimatedTime: 12%

Haul and spread sand, gravel, and clay to fill washouts and repair road shoulders.

Risk: 17.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 8%

Inspect, clean, and repair drainage systems, bridges, tunnels, and other structures.

Risk: 15.0%AI: 15EstimatedTime: 6%

Remove litter and debris from roadways, including debris from rock and mud slides.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 6%

Dump, spread, and tamp asphalt, using pneumatic tampers, to repair joints and patch broken pavement.

Risk: 19.0%AI: 25EstimatedTime: 8%

Apply poisons along roadsides and in animal burrows to eliminate unwanted roadside vegetation and rodents.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 3%

Measure and mark locations for installation of markers, using tape, string, or chalk.

Risk: 61.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 3%

Paint traffic control lines and place pavement traffic messages, by hand or using machines.

Risk: 61.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 4%

Perform roadside landscaping work, such as clearing weeds and brush, and planting and trimming trees.

Risk: 17.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 5%

Apply oil to road surfaces, using sprayers.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 2%

Inspect markers to verify accurate installation.

Risk: 84.0%AI: 87EstimatedTime: 2%

Place and remove snow fences used to prevent the accumulation of drifting snow on highways.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 2%

Blend compounds to form adhesive mixtures used for marker installation.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 27.4%

Essential Soft Skills

Traits that are hard for AI to replicate

DependabilityConcern for OthersIntegrityAttention to DetailCooperationSelf ControlInitiativeAdaptability/FlexibilityPersistenceAchievement/EffortStress ToleranceAnalytical Thinking

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$49,070

per year

Mean Wage

$51,410

per year

Employment

152K

workers

Wage Range

$35,030 - $69,210

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$35,030Median: $49,070$69,210
Career Planning

Explore other career paths

Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.

Alternate Career Paths

See all transitions

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

18%
Low Risk

Median salary: $51,650

Higher risk than 4% of other occupations

Pile-Driver Operators

20%
Low Risk

Median salary: $70,510

Higher risk than 6% of other occupations

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators

23%
Low Risk

Higher risk than 13% of other occupations

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

24%
Low Risk

Median salary: $57,440

Higher risk than 16% of other occupations

Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining

24%
Low Risk

Median salary: $57,980

Higher risk than 16% of other occupations

Helpers--Extraction Workers

28%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $48,400

Higher risk than 29% of other occupations

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

30%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $67,370

Higher risk than 38% of other occupations

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

32%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $58,030

Higher risk than 51% of other occupations

Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators

43%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $71,510

Higher risk than 87% of other occupations

Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers

44%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $60,020

Higher risk than 89% of other occupations

Sales Managers

25%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 20% of other occupations

Chief Executives

26%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 23% of other occupations

General and Operations Managers

28%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 29% of other occupations

Marketing Managers

30%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 38% of other occupations

Advertising and Promotions Managers

31%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 43% of other occupations

Computer and Information Systems Managers

31%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 45% of other occupations

Subscribed — always updated

Recommendations

Skills to Develop

These skills are at risk from AI automation. Highway Maintenance Workers professionals should diversify beyond them.

  • Information Ordering

    High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

  • Mathematics

    Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

  • Mathematics

    Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

  • Memorization

    Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Skills to Leverage

These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.

  • Adaptability/Flexibility

    Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Manual Dexterity

    Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Coordination

    Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Leadership

    Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Complex Problem Solving

    Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Tools to Adopt

AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Critical Thinking

    Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Active Learning

    Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Writing

    Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

+2.0

overall change

Checking for existing plan...