Iowa Median
$45,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-35% vs US median
US median $70,070
State Rank
#38 of 39
200 employed here
How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in Iowa?
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa take home a median of $45,640 annually — roughly $21.94 an hour — which runs 35% below the national median of $70,070.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $32,010 while the top 10% make $81,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,210 and $81,400 a year.
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,010 | $15.39 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,210 | $16.93 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,400 | $39.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,440 | $39.15 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 38th 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 $71,580California $71,170New 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 $47,700Louisiana $44,150
Working as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($45,640) 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 Iowa?
The median Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in Iowa is $45,640 per year, or about $21.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,010 at the entry level to $81,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators about 35% less than the national median of $70,070. Iowa ranks 38th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $45,640 a year. About 200 Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary report
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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.