Rail-Track Laying & Maintenance Equipment Operators

Also Called: Track Inspector, Track Laborer, Track Maintainer, Track Repairer

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$46,350

Entry Salary

Average

Job outlook

What Rail-Track Laying & Maintenance Equipment Operators do

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.

  • Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
  • Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
  • Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing • Automotive & Machine Repair • Transportation

Training Program Areas:

Heavy Equipment Operations • OCT-Only Advanced Manufacturing • OCT-Only Transportation • Transportation Office Support • Welding

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  • Contact With Others

Tools

  • Pry bars
  • Impact wrenches
  • Pneumatic hammer
  • Measuring tapes
  • Pneumatic impact wrenches

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Time accounting software
Timekeeping software

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting
  • Coordination

Knowledge

Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
building and construction
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Business
management

Education

  • 90% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 10% Less than high school diploma

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Rail-Track Laying & Maintenance Equipment Operators Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Crane & Tower Operators

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Executive Secretaries & Executive Administrative Assistants

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Brokerage Clerks

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

  • Albuquerque - Job Corps

    Albuquerque, New Mexico

  • Anaconda Civilian Conservation Center - Job Corps

    Anaconda, Montana

ACT & College

  • Atlantic Technical Center

    Coconut Creek, FL

  • Bakersfield College

    Bakersfield, CA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

The Military offers exciting career opportunities that align with your interests. Click here to explore military careers and find a recruiter near you.

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Concern for Others
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Controlled Movement
  • Visual Understanding
  • Spatial

This is what Rail-Track Laying & Maintenance Equipment Operators across the country typically make.

$22.28 / hour
$46,350 /year

Entry Level

$32.21 / hour
$67,000 /year

Median Level

$39.59 / hour
$82,340 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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