California Median
$71,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $70,070
State Rank
#16 of 39
770 employed here
How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in California?
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California take home a median of $71,170 annually — roughly $34.22 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $70,070.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $45,820 while the top 10% make $86,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,820 and $75,290 a year.
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,820 | $22.03 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,820 | $27.80 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $71,170 | $34.22 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $75,290 | $36.20 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,240 | $41.46 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 16th out of 39 states and territories for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in other states
Massachusetts $94,330Maryland $92,030New York $87,150Virginia $84,750New Mexico $83,370Delaware $80,610Montana $79,170Idaho $79,020Illinois $78,910Indiana $78,020Arizona $76,620Michigan $75,450Kentucky $73,120South Carolina $71,770Wyoming $71,580New Jersey $66,540Tennessee $66,390South Dakota $64,500Missouri $64,390Colorado $64,300Utah $63,190Georgia $63,010Oklahoma $61,860Florida $61,220Arkansas $60,230Pennsylvania $59,800Washington $58,740Kansas $58,590Nevada $56,740West Virginia $56,660Texas $56,470Oregon $50,930Minnesota $49,640Ohio $47,980Wisconsin $47,920North Carolina $47,700Iowa $45,640Louisiana $44,150
Working as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California
Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($71,170) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in California?
The median Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in California is $71,170 per year, or about $34.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,820 at the entry level to $86,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators about 2% more than the national median of $70,070. California ranks 16th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $71,170 a year. About 770 Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary report
Related salaries
$76,410
median pay · 10,000 employed
$50,260
median pay · 155,000 employed
$57,660
median pay · 19,000 employed
$42,360
median pay · 44,000 employed
$46,960
median pay · 45,000 employed
$59,850
median pay · 478,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.