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Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$71,170
Median Annual Salary
▲
+2.8% vs 2024
$67,340
Mean Salary
$71,170
Median Salary
$34.22
Hourly Rate
770 people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California earn a median salary of $71,170 per year ($5,930/month).
This is 7.0% above the national average of $66,504.
California ranks #16 out of 39 states for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 770 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 2.8% compared to 2024.
About This Job: 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.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
3.75
Operation and Control
3.75
Equipment Maintenance
3.25
Troubleshooting
3.25
Critical Thinking
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
Transportation
3.66
Mechanical
3.65
Building and Construction
3.51
Public Safety and Security
3.25
Administration and Management
3.04
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(90.2% of workers)
Salary Range: Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California
Salaries for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California range from $45,820 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $86,240 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $57,820 and $75,290.
Median $71,170
P10: $45,820P25: $57,820P75: $75,290P90: $86,240
10th
$45,820
25th
$57,820
Median
$71,170
75th
$75,290
90th
$86,240
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$45,820
$22.03
$3,818
25th Percentile
$57,820
$27.80
$4,818
Median (50th)
$71,170
$34.22
$5,930
75th Percentile
$75,290
$36.20
$6,274
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$86,240
$41.46
$7,186
Note: The mean (average) salary of $67,340 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#16
California ranks #16 of 39 states
$66,504
National avg. for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in California?
The median annual salary for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California is $71,170 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $67,340.
What is the salary range for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California?
Salaries for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California range from $45,820 at the 10th percentile to $86,240 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $57,820 and $75,290.
What is the starting salary for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California?
Entry-level Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators positions in California typically start around $45,820 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $57,820 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 770 people are employed as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California is approximately $34.22 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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