🛣 NYS Thruway Authority
✓ OT at Time & a Half
Traineeship Available
🛣 Hiring Now — Thruway Maintenance Workers & Trainees Statewide.
The NYS Thruway Authority is recruiting at all four divisions across New York State. $25.26–$34.47/hr depending on location and experience, with significant overtime at time and a half — especially in winter. Entry-level traineeship positions available for candidates with a CDL-B permit. Journey-level positions open to experienced candidates. Full state benefits including a pension vested in 5 years. Apply at StateJobsNY ↗
Entry Pay
$25.26/hr
varies by location
Journey Rate
$34.47/hr
commensurate w/ experience
Overtime
1.5×
time and a half
Trainee Levels
3
12 to 36-month programs
CDL Req.
Class B
tank endorse., no air brake restrict.
Min. Age
18+
at appointment
Divisions
4
NY · Albany · Syracuse · Buffalo
Pension
Tier 6
vested in 5 years
Thruway Maintenance Workers (TMWs) are responsible for maintaining all 570 miles of the New York State Thruway — from New York City to Buffalo and the Pennsylvania border. They repair and reconstruct pavement, bridges, culverts, medians, drainage systems, retaining walls, and other highway structures. They also perform snow and ice control, operate heavy equipment, and respond to scheduled and emergency callouts year-round.
This is a Teamsters union position with strong hourly pay, substantial overtime earnings especially during winter, and a full state benefits package including pension. Importantly, the Thruway offers a structured traineeship path — entry-level candidates with just a CDL-B Class permit (no experience required) can start as a TMW Trainee 1 and advance to Journey-Level over a 36-month program while earning competitive pay throughout.
Apply Now at StateJobsNY — All Four Divisions Hiring
$25.26–$34.47/hr. Overtime at 1.5×. Teamsters unit. State pension vested in 5 years. Entry-level traineeship available with CDL-B permit only. Journey-level positions open to experienced candidates. Complete an Employment Application indicating which level you are applying for.
Apply at StateJobsNY ↗ All NYS Jobs & Exams ↗NYS Thruway Authority | thruway.ny.gov | Teamsters Negotiating Unit | All pay rates subject to change
Pay & Overtime
Pay Range
$25.26 – $34.47/hr
varies by division & experience
Overtime Rate
Time & a Half (1.5×)
heavy in winter season
Union
Teamsters
negotiated wages & protections
✓ Winter overtime is a major earnings multiplier. The Thruway operates 24/7/365 — snow and ice control operations, emergency repairs, and round-the-clock highway maintenance generate significant overtime hours from November through March. At $34.47/hr base, OT earnings exceed $51/hr. Western NY and Upstate divisions typically see the most winter hours. All rates are subject to change.
Career Path — From Trainee 1 to Journey-Level
The traineeship structure lets candidates enter at the level matching their qualifications and advance with paid on-the-job training. You earn competitive pay throughout the program — this is not an unpaid apprenticeship.
Entry Level
TMW Trainee 1
36-Month Traineeship
Intermediate
TMW Trainee 2
24-Month Traineeship
Advanced
TMW Trainee 3
12-Month Traineeship
Full Rate
Journey-Level TMW
Up to $34.47/hr
ℹ️ Apply at the highest level you qualify for. The Thruway asks you to indicate which level you are applying for on your Employment Application. If you meet the qualifications for Trainee 2 or 3, or Journey-Level, apply at that level — you don’t have to start at Trainee 1. Each higher level has a shorter traineeship and reaches Journey-Level pay sooner.
Minimum Qualifications — By Level
All candidates must be at least 18 years of age at appointment. CDL-B requirements vary slightly by level — see details below. The CDL must include a tank endorsement and have no air brake restriction.
TMW Trainee 1
Entry Level — Least Experience Required
36-Month Traineeship
Requirement: Possession of a valid New York State Commercial Driver License Class B Permit with tank endorsement and no air brake restriction.
A permit — not a full CDL — is all you need to enter at this level. This is the most accessible entry point, designed for candidates who are new to highway maintenance work but ready to learn. You will develop skills and work toward the full CDL and Journey-Level status during the 36-month traineeship.
A permit — not a full CDL — is all you need to enter at this level. This is the most accessible entry point, designed for candidates who are new to highway maintenance work but ready to learn. You will develop skills and work toward the full CDL and Journey-Level status during the 36-month traineeship.
TMW Trainee 2
Intermediate Level
24-Month Traineeship
Qualify under any one of the following three options:
Option A: One year of service as a TMW Trainee 1.
Option A: One year of service as a TMW Trainee 1.
— OR —
Option B: A valid Commercial Driver License Class B (full CDL, not just permit) with tank endorsement and no air brake restriction, plus:
- 6 months of experience operating construction equipment and vehicles; AND
- 12 months of experience in carpentry, masonry, welding, ironwork, or other trade related to bridge construction or repair.
— OR —
Option C: A valid CDL Class B with tank endorsement and no air brake restriction, plus 18 months of experience operating construction equipment and vehicles.
TMW Trainee 3
Advanced Trainee Level
12-Month Traineeship
Qualify under either of the following options:
Option A: One year of service as a TMW Trainee 2.
Option A: One year of service as a TMW Trainee 2.
— OR —
Option B: A valid CDL Class B with tank endorsement and no air brake restriction, plus all three of the following:
- 12 months of experience operating construction equipment and vehicles; AND
- 18 months of experience in carpentry, masonry, welding, ironwork, or other trade related to bridge construction or repair.
Journey-Level TMW
Full Rate — Up to $34.47/hr
No Traineeship
Qualify under either of the following options:
Option A: Satisfactory completion of a three-year TMW Traineeship.
Option A: Satisfactory completion of a three-year TMW Traineeship.
— OR —
Option B: A valid NYS CDL Class B with tank endorsement and no air brake restriction, plus one year of experience operating construction equipment and vehicles, AND one of the following:- Two years of experience in carpentry, masonry, ironwork, welding, or other trade related to bridge construction or repair; OR
- Training received through completion of a two-year technical school course in carpentry, masonry, welding, ironwork, or other trade related to bridge construction or repair; OR
- Completion of a high school technical course in carpentry, masonry, welding, ironwork, or other trade related to bridge construction or repair, plus 12 months of experience in bridge construction or repair.
What the Job Involves
TMWs work alone or as part of a team maintaining, repairing, improving, and reconstructing Thruway infrastructure. The work is physically demanding and performed outdoors in all weather conditions, including shift work, call-outs, and scheduled and unscheduled overtime.
- ✓Maintenance, repair, improvement, and reconstruction of pavements, shoulders, medians, and right-of-way
- ✓Work on bridges, culverts, water control structures, retaining walls, ramps, interchanges, and other appurtenances
- ✓Snow and ice control activities — a primary function during winter maintenance season
- ✓Operate and perform maintenance and minor repairs on a variety of self-propelled pneumatic and other heavy equipment
- ✓May serve as team leader and provide guidance and instruction to other workers
- !Physical demands: Medium to heavy physical effort; shift work and call-outs; scheduled and unscheduled overtime; working outdoors in adverse weather; standing for prolonged periods; working in non-permit required confined spaces and at heights; use of personal safety equipment including respirators.
CDL-B License Requirements
⚠ The CDL for this position has specific requirements beyond a standard Class B license. You need a CDL Class B that includes a tank endorsement (N) and has no air brake restriction (no ‘L’ restriction). A standard Class B without these features does not meet the qualification. If you currently have a CDL-B without the tank endorsement or with an air brake restriction, you must update your license before you qualify.
- ✓TMW Trainee 1: CDL Class B permit with tank endorsement, no air brake restriction. A permit is sufficient — full license not required at this level.
- ✓TMW Trainee 2, 3 & Journey-Level (Option B): Full CDL Class B license (not just permit) with tank endorsement and no air brake restriction.
- !You must maintain your CDL throughout employment. Any suspension or revocation of your CDL during employment can affect your continued service.
Benefits Package
🏥 Health Insurance
💊 Prescription Coverage
🦷 Dental & Vision Plans
🗓 Paid Holidays, Sick & Vacation Leave
🏠 Remote Work Options (where eligible)
💰 Pension (Tier 6 — vested in 5 years)
📈 Deferred Compensation
🎓 Tuition Assistance Program
🎓 College Savings Program
🔧 On-The-Job Training
💳 Pre-Tax: Medical, Child Care & Elder Care
📚 Training & Professional Development
✓ Pension highlight — Tier 6, vested in 5 years. If this is your first public pension position, as a Tier 6 member you need only 5 years of service to be vested and eligible for a pension benefit once you meet the minimum age requirements. That’s a guaranteed retirement income that very few private sector trade jobs can match.
Frequently Asked Questions
I only have a CDL-B permit, not a full license — can I still apply?
Yes — for the TMW Trainee 1 level, a CDL Class B permit (not a full license) with the tank endorsement and no air brake restriction is all you need. This is the entry-level position with a 36-month traineeship. You will work toward your full CDL and advancement to higher levels during the program. If you have a full CDL-B with those endorsements plus some experience, you may qualify at a higher trainee level or even Journey-Level — apply at the highest level you meet.
What does “tank endorsement, no air brake restriction” mean?
A standard CDL Class B does not automatically come with all endorsements. For this position your CDL must include a tank (N) endorsement — which allows you to operate vehicles carrying liquids in bulk (like salt brine spreader systems used in winter maintenance). It must also have no air brake restriction — meaning you passed the air brake test when you got your CDL. If you took the CDL test without the air brake portion, you’ll have an ‘L’ restriction on your license, which means this position’s requirement is not met. Check the endorsements and restrictions listed on your current CDL card.
Which level should I apply for?
Apply at the highest level you qualify for, and indicate that level on your Employment Application. There’s no benefit to applying at a lower level if you meet the requirements for a higher one — higher levels mean a shorter traineeship and reaching Journey-Level pay sooner. Review all four level requirements carefully and check every option under each level before deciding.
What kind of experience counts toward “operating construction equipment and vehicles”?
This typically includes experience operating heavy equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, loaders, backhoes, dump trucks, paving equipment, and similar machinery used in road, bridge, or site construction. It’s hands-on operation experience — not driving a regular truck or managing a worksite. If you’ve operated this equipment in a construction, utilities, landscaping, or municipal maintenance context, that experience generally counts. Confirm with the Thruway Authority if you’re unsure whether your specific experience qualifies.
Which divisions are hiring and where are they located?
The Thruway Authority fills TMW and TMW Trainee positions across all four of its divisions: New York (covering the lower Hudson Valley and NYC-area Thruway), Albany (Capital Region and mid-state), Syracuse (Central NY), and Buffalo (Western NY). Specific facility locations within each division are listed in the current openings on StateJobsNY. Visit StateJobsNY to see what’s currently posted.
Is this the same as the Service & Repair Mechanic (Motor Equipment) position?
No — these are separate titles. The Service & Repair Mechanic (SRM) role focuses on diagnosing and repairing the Authority’s fleet of vehicles and heavy equipment in a shop setting. The Thruway Maintenance Worker (TMW) role is a field-based highway maintenance position — repairing pavement, bridges, culverts, and structures, and performing snow and ice control directly on the Thruway. Both positions belong to the Teamsters unit and offer similar benefits. See our full SRM post for details on that title.
Apply at StateJobsNY — Entry-Level to Journey-Level Openings
$25.26–$34.47/hr. Overtime at 1.5×. Teamsters union. 5-year pension vesting. TMW Trainee 1 requires only a CDL-B permit. Journey-Level available for experienced candidates. Four divisions: New York, Albany, Syracuse, and Buffalo. Indicate your level on the Employment Application.
Apply at StateJobsNY ↗ All NYS Jobs & Exams ↗NYS Thruway Authority | thruway.ny.gov | Teamsters Negotiating Unit | All pay rates and benefits subject to change