Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in Iowa
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Iowa earn a median of $45,640 a year ($21.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,440 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $70,070. Iowa ranks 38th of 39 states for Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators pay. There are 0.13 Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,010 | $15.39 |
| 25th percentile | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Median | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| 75th percentile | $81,400 | $39.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,440 | $39.15 |
| Average (mean) | $53,890 | $25.91 |
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 | $3,803.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,901.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,755.38 |
| Weekly | $877.69 |
| Hourly | $21.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $58,490 | $28.12 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $71,630 | $34.44 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $57,980 | $27.87 |
| Fence Erector | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $49,870 | $23.98 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $115,300 | $55.43 |
| Construction Laborer | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Electrician | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,510 | $37.75 |
| Carpenter | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,220 | $27.99 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators in Iowa is $45,640 a year, or $21.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators in Iowa earn at least $81,440 a year. The top 25% earn $81,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,010 a year, and a quarter of Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators earn $35,210 or less.
How many Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators work in Iowa?
About 200 Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.