47 Series · SOC 47-4061

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$70,070
Median / year
$87,420
Top 10% earn
+1.6%
Growth '23–'33
19,580
US workers

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators earn a median of $70,070 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $70,070, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $45,640 (10th percentile) to $87,420 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 19,580 US workers. Massachusetts pays the most ($94,330), since pay varies by state and metro area.

47 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators earn a median of $70,070, putting them above the typical US occupation and higher than 62% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Construction and Extraction, it ranks #10 of 60 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 1.6% by 2033.

$70,070
Median annual wage
Top 38%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#10 of 60
in Construction and Extraction
1.9×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Massachusetts at $94,330. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators (SOC 47-4061) pays a national median of $70,070 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $45,640 at the 10th percentile to $87,420 at the 90th, with a mean of $68,740 indicating a compressed distribution clustered near the median. An estimated 19,580 Americans work in this occupation across 39 reporting states and 15 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +1.6% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 1,100 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 12.4 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.5 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Massachusetts pays the highest state median at $94,330, which is +35% above the national figure. The top metro is Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD at $87,410 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 19,580 jobs Median $70,070/yr

Median Salary

$70,070

per year

Median Hourly

$33.69/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$68,740

average

Employment

19,580

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$70,070 Top 38% higher than 62% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). This entry sits in this band. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 47-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 47-series occupations with growth data, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators sits on the slower-growing side at +1.6% growth and $70,070 median pay.

Among 25 47-series occupations with growth data, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators sits on the slower-growing side at +1.6% growth and $70,070 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $40000$50000$60000$70000$80000$90000 -5%0%5%10%15% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 47-series occupations with growth data, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators sits on the slower-growing side at +1.6% growth and $70,070 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+1.6%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

1,100

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
B

Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

12.4/100K

Injury Rate

3.5/100

Danger Index

20.2/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.8
Operation and Control 3.8
Equipment Maintenance 3.3
Troubleshooting 3.3
Critical Thinking 3.1
Monitoring 3.1
Coordination 3.1
Repairing 3.1
Quality Control Analysis 3.1
Active Listening 3.0

Knowledge Areas

Transportation 3.7
Mechanical 3.6
Building and Construction 3.5
Public Safety and Security 3.3
Administration and Management 3.0
Engineering and Technology 3.0
Mathematics 2.9
Education and Training 2.9
Production and Processing 2.9
Customer and Personal Service 2.8

Key Tasks

  • ▸ 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.
  • ▸ String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.
  • ▸ Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
  • ▸ Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
  • ▸ Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$45,640$51,280$70,070$81,670$87,420
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$21.94$24.65$33.69$39.27$42.03
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$45,640

25th Percentile

$51,280

Median

$70,070

75th Percentile

$81,670

90th Percentile

$87,420

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Massachusetts $94,330 2. Maryland $92,030 3. New York $87,150 4. Virginia $84,750 5. New Mexico $83,370

Lowest Paying States

35. Louisiana $44,150 36. Iowa $45,640 37. North Carolina $47,700 38. Wisconsin $47,920 39. Ohio $47,980
View all 39 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Massachusetts $94,330 +35% above national
2 Maryland $92,030 +31% above national
3 New York $87,150 +24% above national
4 Virginia $84,750 +21% above national
5 New Mexico $83,370 +19% above national
6 Delaware $80,610 +15% above national
7 Montana $79,170 +13% above national
8 Idaho $79,020 +13% above national
9 Illinois $78,910 +13% above national
10 Indiana $78,020 +11% above national
11 Arizona $76,620 +9% above national
12 Michigan $75,450 +8% above national
13 Kentucky $73,120 +4% above national
14 South Carolina $71,770 +2% above national
15 Wyoming $71,580 +2% above national
16 California $71,170 +2% above national
17 New Jersey $66,540 5% below national
18 Tennessee $66,390 5% below national
19 South Dakota $64,500 8% below national
20 Missouri $64,390 8% below national
21 Colorado $64,300 8% below national
22 Utah $63,190 10% below national
23 Georgia $63,010 10% below national
24 Oklahoma $61,860 12% below national
25 Florida $61,220 13% below national
26 Arkansas $60,230 14% below national
27 Pennsylvania $59,800 15% below national
28 Washington $58,740 16% below national
29 Kansas $58,590 16% below national
30 Nevada $56,740 19% below national
31 West Virginia $56,660 19% below national
32 Texas $56,470 19% below national
33 Oregon $50,930 27% below national
34 Minnesota $49,640 29% below national
35 Ohio $47,980 32% below national
36 Wisconsin $47,920 32% below national
37 North Carolina $47,700 32% below national
38 Iowa $45,640 35% below national
39 Louisiana $44,150 37% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $87,410 2. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $87,150 3. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $85,240 4. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $75,280 5. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $65,060

Lowest Paying Metros

11. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $45,090 12. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $48,150 13. Longview, TX $50,140 14. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $52,900 15. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $56,470
View all 15 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $87,410 +25% above national
2 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $87,150 +24% above national
3 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $85,240 +22% above national
4 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $75,280 +7% above national
5 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $65,060 7% below national
6 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $62,030 11% below national
7 Stockton-Lodi, CA $61,050 13% below national
8 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $60,120 14% below national
9 Pittsburgh, PA $59,390 15% below national
10 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $59,110 16% below national
11 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $56,470 19% below national
12 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $52,900 25% below national
13 Longview, TX $50,140 28% below national
14 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $48,150 31% below national
15 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $45,090 36% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 47 (construction and extraction) with comparable pay and career paths.

Boilermakers

SOC 47-2011

Brickmasons and Blockmasons

SOC 47-2021

Carpenters

SOC 47-2031

Carpet Installers

SOC 47-2041

Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

SOC 47-2051
Compare Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make? ▼
The median annual salary for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators is $70,070 ($33.69/hour). The salary range spans from $45,640 at the 10th percentile to $87,420 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators the most? ▼
Massachusetts pays the highest median salary for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators at $94,330/year, which is +35% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators? ▼
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators has a safety grade of B (Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 12.4 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 3.5 per 100 workers.
Is Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators a good career? ▼
Employment for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators is projected to grow 1.6% from 2024 to 2034, which is slower than average. About 1,100 openings are projected each year.
How does Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay vary by state? ▼
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $94,330/year, while Ohio pays the least at $47,980/year. BLS data covers 39 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators is Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD at $87,410/year. BLS reports wage data for 15 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $81,670/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Massachusetts leads at $94,330/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.