Also called: Guardrail Technician, Highway Sign Crew
Installs and repairs guardrails, crash cushions, and highway signs.
A guardrail crew drives posts with a hydraulic pounder, bolts steel rail into place, and replaces crushed barriers after crashes, often at night with traffic flying by.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. No degree; on-the-job training and work-zone safety certification.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 47-4051: Average (3% to 4%).
Low risk for 10 years. Installing guardrails and signs along live highways stays hands-on.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to highway guardrail and sign contractors as a laborer
Classes: Construction CTE, Welding CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 47-4051.
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