How much does a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator make?
The median rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator in the United States earns $70,070 per year, about $33.69 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-4061.
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator salary range
Pay for rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $45,640 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $87,420. The average (mean) wage is $68,740, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,640 | $21.94 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $51,280 | $24.65 | |
| Median (50th) | $70,070 | $33.69 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $81,670 | $39.27 | |
| 90th percentile | $87,420 | $42.03 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators (SOC 47-4061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators earn the most in Massachusetts at $94,330 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $44,150. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $94,330 | 570 |
| Maryland | $92,030 | 320 |
| New York | $87,150 | 3,590 |
| Virginia | $84,750 | 360 |
| New Mexico | $83,370 | 80 |
| Delaware | $80,610 | 130 |
| Montana | $79,170 | 200 |
| Idaho | $79,020 | 90 |
| Illinois | $78,910 | 1,190 |
| Indiana | $78,020 | 320 |
| Arizona | $76,620 | 170 |
| Michigan | $75,450 | 290 |
| Kentucky | $73,120 | 270 |
| South Carolina | $71,770 | 30 |
| Wyoming | $71,580 | 220 |
| California | $71,170 | 770 |
| New Jersey | $66,540 | 230 |
| Tennessee | $66,390 | 260 |
| South Dakota | $64,500 | 110 |
| Missouri | $64,390 | 410 |
| Colorado | $64,300 | 300 |
| Utah | $63,190 | 60 |
| Georgia | $63,010 | 710 |
| Oklahoma | $61,860 | 310 |
| Florida | $61,220 | 490 |
| Arkansas | $60,230 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,800 | 830 |
| Washington | $58,740 | 500 |
| Kansas | $58,590 | 310 |
| Nevada | $56,740 | 40 |
| West Virginia | $56,660 | 270 |
| Texas | $56,470 | 940 |
| Oregon | $50,930 | 190 |
| Minnesota | $49,640 | 760 |
| Ohio | $47,980 | 1,130 |
| Wisconsin | $47,920 | 180 |
| North Carolina | $47,700 | 270 |
| Iowa | $45,640 | 200 |
| Louisiana | $44,150 | N/A |
State median wages for rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators (SOC 47-4061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators
The BLS projects employment of rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 17,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 17,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,200 openings a year for rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator
The typical entry-level education for rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $94,330) and the lowest (Louisiana, $44,150) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 19,580 people work as rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators in the United States. At $70,070 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator salary FAQ
How much does a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator is $33.69. The middle half of rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators earn between $24.65 and $39.27 per hour.
What is the highest rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators earn more than $87,420 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator is $70,070. The average (mean) wage is $68,740, close to the median.
Is being a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator a well paid job?
At $70,070 a year, a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 19,580 people work as rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators in the United States.
Which state pays rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators at $94,330 a year. Maryland ($92,030) and New York ($87,150) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator a good career?
Employment of rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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