Public Works Technician Salary in the United States

How much does a Public Works Technician make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Works Technician in the United States is $108,984 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

However, a Public Works Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $135,835
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,602 to $123,039
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $83,418

Key Factors That Influence Public Works Technician Salaries

A Public Works Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Public Works Technician Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Public Works Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $120,667.
  • California: $120,209.
  • Massachusetts: $118,607.

Top Paying Cities for Public Works Technicians

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $137,462
  • San Francisco: $135,956
  • Oakland: $133,091

What Skills Can Increase a Public Works Technician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.82% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Merchandising (Mentioned in 1.89% Job Postings): In the broadest sense, merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer. At a retail in-store level, merchandising refers to the variety of products available for sale and the display of those products in such a way that it stimulates interest and entices customers to make a purchase. In the profession of merchandising you are either employed by the store in which you work, or by an independent distributor. As a professional merchandiser, in a retail setting, you will not only know your products(I.e. coffee, juice, soda, etc.) but you will gauge other “vendors” like products as you tend to your job. Working with the store and other merchandisers, shelf space is often given or taken as need be in some locations(for some young merchandisers this is known as “war”) In retail commerce, visual display merchandising means merchandise sales using product design, selection, packaging, pricing, and display that stimulates consumers to spend more. This includes disciplines and discounting, physical presentation of products and displays, and the decisions about which products should be presented to which customers at what time.
  • Event Planning (Mentioned in 1.34% Job Postings): Event planning is the process of managing a project such as a meeting, convention, tradeshow, ceremony, team building activity, party, or convention.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.82%
Merchandising 1.89%
Event Planning 1.34%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Public Works Technician's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Onboarding: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $119,882
10%
Collaboration $118,793
9%
Onboarding $118,793
9%

Public Works Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Public Works Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Public Works Technician positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Public Works Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Public Works Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$130,781$63.020%
Pharmaceuticals$130,781$63.020%
Software & Networking$130,781$63.020%
Construction$125,332$60.015%
Internet$125,332$60.015%

How Education impacts a Public Works Technician's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Public Works Technicians enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Public Works Technician with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $107,371 and $115,681).

Public Works Technician Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Public Works Technician
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.0%
High School 46.9%
Associates 14.3%
Bachelors 26.5%
Masters 10.2%
Doctorate 0.0%

Public Works Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Public Works Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$95,602
Average $108,984/year
$123,039
$7,967
Average $9,082/month
$10,253
$1,838
Average $2,096/week
$2,366
$46
Average $52/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $123,039 $10,253 $2,366 $59
Average $108,984 $9,082 $2,096 $52
25th Percentile $95,602 $7,967 $1,838 $46

Most common benefits for Public Works Technician

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Public Works Technician

Here are companies hiring for Public Works Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Public Works Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Public Works Technician?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Public Works Technician roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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