Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Includes ballast cleaning machine operators and railroad bed tamping machine operators.
Median pay: $70,070/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +1.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 1,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
• Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
• Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.
• Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.
• Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.
• Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.
• Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
• Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
What's the median pay for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators?
The median pay for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators is $70,070 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators?
Employment for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators is projected to change +1.6% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators?
About 1,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.