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Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary in IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in IA have a median annual salary of $45,640, with 200 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $32,010 at the 10th percentile to $81,440 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$45,640

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$21.94

Employment

200

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$32,010
10th
$35,210
25th
$45,640
Median
$81,400
75th
$81,440
90th

Local compared with national

IA

$45,640

Median annual · 2025

United States

$70,070

Median annual · 2025

The IA median is 34.9% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $24,430).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.8
  2. 2.Operation and ControlImportance 3.8
  3. 3.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.3
  4. 4.RepairingImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  6. 6.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  7. 7.TroubleshootingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Critical ThinkingImportance 2.8
  12. 12.CoordinationImportance 2.8

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Timekeeping software

Common tasks

  • Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
  • Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
  • Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.
  • Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
  • Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.
  • Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.
  • Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.
  • Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
  • Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.
  • Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in other locations

Other occupations in IA