Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators out-earn Construction Laborers by $23K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators land at $70,070 and Construction Laborers 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 Operators is Massachusetts ($94,330); for Construction Laborers 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 Operators or Construction Laborers?
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators earn more nationally. The median is $70,070 for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $23K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators or Construction Laborers?
Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to 1.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
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 Operators get paid the most?
Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators 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 Operators earn $94,330 vs. $63,390 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.