Lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Includes ballast cleaning machine operators and railroad bed tamping machine operators.
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
SOC: 47-4061 O*NET: 47-4061.00
Median Salary
$67,370
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Includes ballast cleaning machine operators and railroad bed tamping machine operators.
What does a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$45,720
10th percentile
Early Career
$51,630
25th percentile
Median
$67,370
50th percentile
Experienced
$79,330
75th percentile
Top Earners
$84,840
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$45,720
25th
$51,630
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$67,370
Mean: $68,270
75th
$79,330
90th
$84,840
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $39,120 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $51,630 and $79,330
- •Salary spread is 41.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 16,480 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:15,000
Top Industries
Rail Transportation63%
Rail Transportation63%
Support Activities for Transportation6.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.6%
Annual Openings:1,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)15,000
Current
2034 (Projected)15,300
+1.6%
+200
Employment Change
+1.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 38 locations
New York
3,330 jobs$84,8403.27x
Texas
1,160 jobs$56,0400.78x
Ohio
980 jobs$47,1601.67x
Illinois
960 jobs$76,9301.48x
Florida
580 jobs$60,8600.56x
California
560 jobs$69,2600.29x
Pennsylvania
560 jobs$65,1200.87x
Indiana
510 jobs$79,3201.49x
Minnesota
430 jobs$48,4901.39x
Washington
410 jobs$64,9501.08x
Massachusetts
390 jobs$82,8401.01x
Georgia
370 jobs$60,6600.71x
Tennessee
350 jobs$61,2900.99x
Oklahoma
310 jobs$01.70x
Maryland
290 jobs$90,4101.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Equipment Maintenance
86%
#4
Troubleshooting
80%
#5
Repairing
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Quality Control Analysis
46%
#10
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.3
86%
Troubleshooting
intermediate4.0
80%
Repairing
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers100%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Extraction Workers82%
5 shared skills
Maintenance Workers, Machinery82%
5 shared skills
Roof Bolters, Mining82%
5 shared skills
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Coordination
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Repairing
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Operations & Execution (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.11
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.85
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.83
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.82
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.81
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.60
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.1
Concern for Others
3.9
Cooperation
3.8
Attention to Detail
3.8
Integrity
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Leadership
3.6
Self-Control
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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