How much does a railroad track worker make?
a year · about $34 an hour
A typical railroad track worker in the United States makes $70,070 a year, about $34 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They use machines to lay track, adjust rail alignment, and spread ballast. They may also repair switches, tighten bolts, replace ties, or clear snow and ice from the tracks.
Did you know? Some U.S. track workers drive machines that automatically move and lay rails over sections of track.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $45,640 and $87,420How do you become one?
In the U.S., railroad workers typically need a high school diploma or GED and are generally at least 18 to start. New hires learn on the job, and a rail-track technician apprenticeship is another route.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experienced track workers or those with job-related credentials may earn more than beginners. Pay can also differ by employer or industry, location, and hours worked.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($94,330), lowest in Ohio ($47,980).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a track worker averages $29,014. Railroad track worker salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $45,640 | $70,070 | $87,420 | about 20,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $94,330 | about 570 |
| New York | $87,150 | about 4,000 |
| Illinois | $78,910 | about 1,000 |
| California | $71,170 | about 770 |
| Georgia | $63,010 | about 710 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes474061.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-4061.00
- www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/print/railroad-occupations.ht
- www.transportation.gov/careers/veterans/railroad-operations
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY