Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary
The median rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators salary in the United States is $70,070 per year ($33.69/hour). Salaries range from $45,640 at the entry level to $87,420+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 19,580 rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 1.6% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$70,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.69
per hour
Employment
19,580
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$45,640
25th percentile
$51,280
Median
$70,070
75th percentile
$81,670
90th percentile
$87,420
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+1.6%
Slower than average
Annual Openings
1,100
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Training Needed
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$44K$94K■ No data
Top Paying States
Massachusetts
$94K
+35%
Maryland
$92K
+31%
New York
$87K
+24%
Virginia
$85K
+21%
New Mexico
$83K
+19%
Delaware
$81K
+15%
Montana
$79K
+13%
Idaho
$79K
+13%
Illinois
$79K
+13%
Indiana
$78K
+11%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $94,330 | +34.6% |
| Maryland | $92,030 | +31.3% |
| New York | $87,150 | +24.4% |
| Virginia | $84,750 | +21.0% |
| New Mexico | $83,370 | +19.0% |
| Delaware | $80,610 | +15.0% |
| Montana | $79,170 | +13.0% |
| Idaho | $79,020 | +12.8% |
| Illinois | $78,910 | +12.6% |
| Indiana | $78,020 | +11.3% |
Showing 1–10 of 39
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $87,410 | +24.7% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $87,150 | +24.4% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $85,240 | +21.6% |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $75,280 | +7.4% |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $65,060 | -7.1% |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $62,030 | -11.5% |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $61,050 | -12.9% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $60,120 | -14.2% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,390 | -15.2% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $59,110 | -15.6% |
Showing 1–10 of 15
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators earning $70,070/year would need 851 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 913 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary trend (2011–2024) →