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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$66,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $70,070
State Rank
#18 of 39
260 employed here

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

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Tennessee take home a median of $66,390 annually — roughly $31.92 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $70,070.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $47,700 while the top 10% make $78,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,950 and $77,670 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,700$22.93
25th percentile (early career)$51,950$24.98
50th percentile (median)$66,390$31.92
75th percentile (experienced)$77,670$37.34
90th percentile (top earners)$78,430$37.71

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 18th 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee pay ($66,390) 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 Tennessee?
The median Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in Tennessee is $66,390 per year, or about $31.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,700 at the entry level to $78,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators about 5% less than the national median of $70,070. Tennessee ranks 18th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $66,390 a year. About 260 Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.