Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in California
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in California earn a median of $71,170 a year ($34.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,240 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $70,070. California ranks 16th of 39 states for Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators pay. There are 0.04 Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $67,340, close to the median.
Pay range for Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| 25th percentile | $57,820 | $27.80 |
| Median | $71,170 | $34.22 |
| 75th percentile | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,240 | $41.46 |
| Average (mean) | $67,340 | $32.37 |
Half of Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,930.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,965.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,737.31 |
| Weekly | $1,368.65 |
| Hourly | $34.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $75,280 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $65,060 | 130 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $61,050 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $94,330 |
| Maryland | $92,030 |
| New York | $87,150 |
| Virginia | $84,750 |
| New Mexico | $83,370 |
| Delaware | $80,610 |
| Montana | $79,170 |
| Idaho | $79,020 |
| Illinois | $78,910 |
| Indiana | $78,020 |
See Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $101,290 | $48.70 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $59,580 | $28.64 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| Fence Erector | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $141,180 | $67.88 |
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-4061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators make in California?
The median salary for Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators in California is $71,170 a year, or $34.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators make in California?
The top 10% of Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators in California earn at least $86,240 a year. The top 25% earn $75,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,820 a year, and a quarter of Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators earn $57,820 or less.
How many Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators work in California?
About 770 Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.