Highway Maintenance Workers
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 1,525 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 5% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Inspect markers to verify accurate installation.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Set out signs and cones around work areas to divert traffic.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Flag motorists to warn them of obstacles or repair work ahead.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Perform preventative maintenance on vehicles and heavy equipment.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Drive trucks to transport crews and equipment to work sites.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Erect, install, or repair guardrails, road shoulders, berms, highway markers, warning signals, and highway lighting, using hand tools and power tools.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Very similar work+14% pay381 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 14% more—$64,460 vs your $56,706 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
- Operation and Control
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Construction Laborers
Very similar work+1% pay6,031 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 1% more—$57,446 vs your $56,706 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Static Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Building and Construction
- Oral Comprehension
- Control Precision
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Very similar workabout the same pay208 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about the same—$56,717 vs your $56,706 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Oral Comprehension
- Operation and Control
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Very similar work+47% pay1,580 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 47% more—$83,178 vs your $56,706 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Mechanical
- Operation and Control
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Depth Perception
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Very similar work+58% pay321 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 58% more—$89,511 vs your $56,706 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Mechanical
- Static Strength
- Operation and Control
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Similar work+32% pay401 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 32% more—$75,073 vs your $56,706 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Public Safety and Security
- Control Precision
- Customer and Personal Service
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
New skills to build
- Problem Sensitivity
- Administration and Management
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Similar work+5% pay113 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 5% more—$59,699 vs your $56,706 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Mechanical
- Oral Comprehension
- Operation and Control
New skills to build
- Depth Perception
- Peripheral Vision
- Reaction Time
- Equipment Selection
- Rate Control
Rail Car Repairers
Similar work+53% pay164 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 53% more—$86,975 vs your $56,706 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
- Static Strength
- Building and Construction
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment Maintenance
- Installation
- Design
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Somewhat similar work+27% pay2,106 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 27% more—$72,078 vs your $56,706 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Computers and Electronics
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment Selection
- Education and Training
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Somewhat similar work+120% pay12,294 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 120% more—$124,706 vs your $56,706 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Mechanical
- Static Strength
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Installation
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Systems Analysis
- Systems Evaluation