How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make?
The median pay for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in the United States is $70,070 per year — about $33.69 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $45,640, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $87,420.
That is $8,680 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary range by percentile
Half of all Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators earn between $51,280 and $81,670 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,640 | $21.94 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $51,280 | $24.65 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $70,070 | $33.69 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,670 | $39.26 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,420 | $42.03 |
Highest-paying states for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Massachusetts leads the country for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay at $94,330 a year, followed by Maryland ($92,030) and New York ($87,150). At the other end, Louisiana posts the lowest median at $44,150 — a gap of $50,180 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $94,330 | $45.35 | +35% |
| 2 | Maryland | $92,030 | $44.25 | +31% |
| 3 | New York | $87,150 | $41.90 | +24% |
| 4 | Virginia | $84,750 | $40.75 | +21% |
| 5 | New Mexico | $83,370 | $40.08 | +19% |
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 39 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 20,000 people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in the United States?
How does Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay compare to other jobs?
Which state pays Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators the most?
What education do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators need?
How many Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators work in the United States?
Related salaries
Other construction & trades roles with similar pay.