Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operatorss out-earn Construction Laborerss by $23K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operatorss land at $70,070 and Construction Laborerss at $47,120. The education gap is real: rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operatorss is Massachusetts ($94,330); for Construction Laborerss it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operatorss or Construction Laborerss?
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operatorss earn more nationally. The median is $70,070 for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operatorss versus $47,120 for Construction Laborerss, a difference of $23K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators or Construction Laborers?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators or Construction Laborers?
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operatorss get paid the most?
Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operatorss at $94,330/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operatorss earn $94,330 vs. $63,390 for Construction Laborerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.