Highway Maintenance Workers Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $58,270 +18.7% vs national
Median hourly $28.01
10th percentile $47,780
90th percentile $73,950
Employed locally 630
National median $49,070

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Highway Maintenance Workers
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Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,780
    25th
    $53,930
    50th (median)
    $58,270
    75th
    $66,100
    90th
    $73,950

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Highway Maintenance Workers salary vs area income 69% Median Highway Maintenance Workers salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Highway Maintenance Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $76,980
    Vallejo, CA $74,970
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $74,720
    Kankakee, IL $71,150
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $69,060
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $69,060

    Nearby metros — Highway Maintenance Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $69,060
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $64,880
    Dubuque, IA $60,940
    Peoria, IL $59,460
    California $58,300
    Ames, IA $58,080

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $49,470
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $81,390
    Electricians $64,650
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $62,430
    Carpenters $59,940
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $63,560

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Highway Maintenance Workers make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Highway Maintenance Workers in Des Moines, IA is $28.01, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.54 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Highway Maintenance Workers salaries?

    The median Highway Maintenance Workers salary in Des Moines, IA is 18.7% above the national median of $49,070. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Highway Maintenance Workers in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Highway Maintenance Workers (10th percentile) earn around $47,780 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,930.