Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Learn more
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary in Illinois
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in Illinois?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$78,910
Median Annual Salary
▲
+2.6% vs 2024
$79,340
Mean Salary
$78,910
Median Salary
$37.94
Hourly Rate
1,190 people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary by percentile in Illinois
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois earn a median salary of $78,910 per year ($6,575/month).
This is 18.7% above the national average of $66,504.
Illinois ranks #9 out of 39 states for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 1,190 people work in this occupation across Illinois.
Salaries increased by 2.6% 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 Illinois
Salaries for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois range from $51,500 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $92,500 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $63,010 and $83,740.
Median $78,910
P10: $51,500P25: $63,010P75: $83,740P90: $92,500
10th
$51,500
25th
$63,010
Median
$78,910
75th
$83,740
90th
$92,500
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$51,500
$24.76
$4,291
25th Percentile
$63,010
$30.29
$5,250
Median (50th)
$78,910
$37.94
$6,575
75th Percentile
$83,740
$40.26
$6,978
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$92,500
$44.47
$7,708
Note: The mean (average) salary of $79,340 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#9
Illinois ranks #9 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 Illinois?
The median annual salary for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois is $78,910 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $79,340.
What is the salary range for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois?
Salaries for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois range from $51,500 at the 10th percentile to $92,500 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $63,010 and $83,740.
What is the starting salary for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois?
Entry-level Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators positions in Illinois typically start around $51,500 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $63,010 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,190 people are employed as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Illinois is approximately $37.94 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.
We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze site traffic, and serve relevant ads.
You can choose which categories to allow. For details, see our
Privacy Policy and
Cookie List.