Rail-Track Equipment Operator

Explore This Path

Ideal for those who love working outdoors and hands-on problem-solving.
Ensure safe and efficient rail transport by maintaining and repairing tracks.
Operate specialized machinery to keep railways running smoothly and safely.

💰 Earn $62K-$82K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 2.5% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll 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.
Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.
Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Good (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

1,300 Annually

Median Earnings

$77,240 in California

$67,000 Nationally

$25K

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Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Rail-Track Equipment Operator? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@inth3fate

@tlocc8

@dakota.gebert7

@levi.ortiz20

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Coordination
Critical Thinking
Judgment and Decision Making
Management of Personnel Resources
Monitoring
Speaking

You value 🙏

Having support
Job security
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Rail-Track Equipment Operator

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years