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Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary in South Dakota
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$64,500
Median Annual Salary
▼
-0.1% vs 2024
$62,120
Mean Salary
$64,500
Median Salary
$31.01
Hourly Rate
110 people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary by percentile in South Dakota
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn a median salary of $64,500 per year ($5,375/month).
This is 3.0% below the national average of $66,504.
South Dakota ranks #19 out of 39 states for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 110 people work in this occupation across South Dakota.
Salaries decreased by 0.1% 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 South Dakota
Salaries for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota range from $47,890 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $73,150 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $62,940 and $66,130.
Median $64,500
P10: $47,890P25: $62,940P75: $66,130P90: $73,150
10th
$47,890
25th
$62,940
Median
$64,500
75th
$66,130
90th
$73,150
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$47,890
$23.02
$3,990
25th Percentile
$62,940
$30.26
$5,245
Median (50th)
$64,500
$31.01
$5,375
75th Percentile
$66,130
$31.79
$5,510
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$73,150
$35.17
$6,095
Note: The mean (average) salary of $62,120 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#19
South Dakota ranks #19 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 South Dakota?
The median annual salary for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota is $64,500 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $62,120.
What is the salary range for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
Salaries for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota range from $47,890 at the 10th percentile to $73,150 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $62,940 and $66,130.
What is the starting salary for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators positions in South Dakota typically start around $47,890 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $62,940 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 110 people are employed as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota.
What is the hourly rate for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota is approximately $31.01 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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