Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
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.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
26 tasks analyzed
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.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | - | - | - |
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$67,370
per year
Mean Wage
$68,270
per year
Employment
16K
workers
Wage Range
$45,720 - $84,840
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Awaiting Assessment
This occupation has 26 tasks in the database and is queued for the next scoring run. Risk scores, protective factors, and skill gaps will appear once the assessment completes.