Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$73,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $70,070
State Rank
#13 of 39
270 employed here

How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in Kentucky?

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $73,120 per year, or about $35.15 per hour. That is 4% above the national median of $70,070 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $46,650 while the top 10% make $73,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,040 and $73,200 a year.

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,650$22.43
25th percentile (early career)$51,040$24.54
50th percentile (median)$73,120$35.15
75th percentile (experienced)$73,200$35.19
90th percentile (top earners)$73,200$35.19

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 13th out of 39 states and territories for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

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

Working as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($73,120) 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 Kentucky?
The median Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in Kentucky is $73,120 per year, or about $35.15 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,650 at the entry level to $73,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators about 4% more than the national median of $70,070. Kentucky ranks 13th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $73,120 a year. About 270 Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators are employed in Kentucky. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.