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Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary in Iowa
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$45,640
Median Annual Salary
▼
-42.4% vs 2024
$53,890
Mean Salary
$45,640
Median Salary
$21.94
Hourly Rate
200 people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary by percentile in Iowa
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa earn a median salary of $45,640 per year ($3,803/month).
This is 31.4% below the national average of $66,504.
Iowa ranks #38 out of 39 states for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 200 people work in this occupation across Iowa.
Salaries decreased by 42.4% 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 Iowa
Salaries for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa range from $32,010 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $81,440 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $35,210 and $81,400.
Median $45,640
P10: $32,010P25: $35,210P75: $81,400P90: $81,440
10th
$32,010
25th
$35,210
Median
$45,640
75th
$81,400
90th
$81,440
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$32,010
$15.39
$2,667
25th Percentile
$35,210
$16.93
$2,934
Median (50th)
$45,640
$21.94
$3,803
75th Percentile
$81,400
$39.13
$6,783
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$81,440
$39.15
$6,786
Note: The mean (average) salary of $53,890 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#38
Iowa ranks #38 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 Iowa?
The median annual salary for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa is $45,640 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $53,890.
What is the salary range for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa?
Salaries for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa range from $32,010 at the 10th percentile to $81,440 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $35,210 and $81,400.
What is the starting salary for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa?
Entry-level Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators positions in Iowa typically start around $32,010 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $35,210 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 200 people are employed as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa is approximately $21.94 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.
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