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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$71,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $70,070
State Rank
#14 of 39
30 employed here

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

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Carolina take home a median of $71,770 annually — roughly $34.50 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $70,070.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $41,030 while the top 10% make $76,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $71,770 and $73,120 a year.

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$41,030$19.73
25th percentile (early career)$71,770$34.50
50th percentile (median)$71,770$34.50
75th percentile (experienced)$73,120$35.15
90th percentile (top earners)$76,150$36.61

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 14th 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 South Carolina

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 South Carolina pay ($71,770) 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 South Carolina?
The median Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in South Carolina is $71,770 per year, or about $34.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,030 at the entry level to $76,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators about 2% more than the national median of $70,070. South Carolina ranks 14th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — South Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $71,770 a year. About 30 Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators are employed in South Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary report

Related salaries

Boilermaker

$76,410
median pay · 10,000 employed

Highway Maintenance Worker

$50,260
median pay · 155,000 employed

Plasterers and Stucco Masons

$57,660
median pay · 19,000 employed

Roustabouts, Oil and Gas

$46,960
median pay · 45,000 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.