Career overview

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

O*NET-SOC 47-4061.00

Median pay / yr$67,370

OutlookBelow Average

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.

What it takes

The skills, knowledge, and credentials employers look for in Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators.

Skills employers look for

Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operations MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Knowledge areas

TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.