Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
SOC Code: 47-4061 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $79,373 | $85,800 | $92,248 | $98,675 |
| Yakima, WA | $79,373 | $85,800 | $92,248 | $98,675 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $73,757 | $81,682 | $89,586 | $97,510 |
| Salisbury, MD | $69,597 | $77,501 | $85,426 | $93,330 |
| Peoria, IL | $53,560 | $66,789 | $79,997 | $93,226 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $53,560 | $66,789 | $79,997 | $93,226 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $53,560 | $66,789 | $79,997 | $93,226 |
| Decatur, IL | $53,560 | $66,789 | $79,997 | $93,226 |
| Bloomington, IL | $53,560 | $66,789 | $79,997 | $93,226 |
| Kankakee, IL | $53,560 | $66,789 | $79,997 | $93,226 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.8 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.8 | |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.2 | |
| Troubleshooting | 3.2 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 | |
| Repairing | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Coordination | 3.1 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Transportation | 3.7 |
| Mechanical | 3.6 |
| Building and Construction | 3.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.2 |
| Administration and Management | 3.0 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 2.9 |
| Education and Training | 2.9 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 90.2% |
| Less than high school | 9.8% |
Typical Tasks
- Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
- Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.
- Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
- Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
- Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.
- Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
- Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.
- Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Enterprise resource planning ERP software Timekeeping software
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