Railroad Signal Technician
Install and repair the signals, switches and crossing gates that keep trains safe.
- $92,460
- Railroad training plus months on the job
Transportation & Logistics career
Railroad Track Equipment Operator
Also called: Track Machine Operator · Maintenance of Way Operator · Tamper Operator · Track Laborer
What railroad track equipment operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a railroad track equipment operator do?
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators lay, repair and maintain track for railroads, using machines such as tampers, spike drivers and ballast regulators. The median pay is $70,070 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months of training, and employment is projected to grow +1.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$70,070$33.69/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+1.5%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year1,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months of trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs17,400Employment, 2025
What railroad track equipment operators do
Track equipment operators keep rails safe. They run tampers, ballast regulators, spike drivers and rail grinders, replace ties and rail, inspect track and work on gangs that may travel for weeks.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects about average growth, with union railroad jobs.
Typical duties
- Operate track machines
- Replace ties and rail
- Tamp ballast
- Drive spikes
- Inspect track
- Maintain machines
- Follow track protection rules
Work environment and schedule
Operators work outdoors on railroad track, often traveling with gangs.
Schedule: Long days and weeks away from home are common.
A day in the life
- Job briefing.
- Get track authority.
- Run the tamper.
- Replace ties.
See a full day in the life of a railroad track equipment operator →
Railroad Track Equipment Operator salary
Half of railroad track equipment operators earned more than $70,070 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $45,640 for the lowest 10% to $87,420 for the top 10%.
Full railroad track equipment operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a railroad track equipment operator
- Finish high school
- Get a CDL
- Get hired as a track laborer
- Qualify on machines
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a railroad track equipment operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Track machine operation
- Track inspection
- Tie replacement
- Rail work
- Track protection rules
People skills
- Safety focus
- Teamwork
- Stamina
- Reliability
All railroad track equipment operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Union pay and benefits
- No degree needed
- Outdoor work
- Average growth
Cons
- Travel away from home
- All weather
- Physical work
- Long days
Certifications and licenses
- Roadway worker protection: Required.
- CDL: Often required.
- FRA training: Required.
- Machine qualifications: Employer.
Career path
- Track Laborer: Entry.
- Machine Operator: Operate.
- Foreman: Lead gang.
- Roadmaster: Manage track.
Learn the job before day one
Our Railroad Track Equipment Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as get track authority before work and tamp track to surface, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Railroad Track Equipment Operator vs. Railroad Signal Technician · Railroad Track Equipment Operator vs. Rail Car Repairer · Railroad Track Equipment Operator vs. Heavy Equipment Operator · Railroad Track Equipment Operator vs. Railroad Conductor
Railroad Track Equipment Operator FAQ
Do I need a CDL?
Many railroads require one.
Is travel required?
Often, with traveling gangs.
Are jobs union?
Most railroad track jobs are.
How much does a railroad track equipment operator make?
The median annual wage for railroad track equipment operators was $70,070 ($33.69 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $45,640 and the highest 10% earned more than $87,420.
How long does it take to become a railroad track equipment operator?
Most people need about A few months of training of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a railroad track equipment operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More railroad track equipment operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-4061 (Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.