Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX make a median of $54,400 a year, or about $26.16 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.63), that's roughly $55,156 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,573/month — about 41.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $54K get you in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
About rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Entry-level rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K.Top earners bring in $62K or more - a $24K spread from bottom to top.
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $90K | +34% | 290 |
| Delaware | $86K | +28% | 90 |
| New York | $85K | +26% | 3,330 |
| Massachusetts | $83K | +23% | 390 |
| Indiana | $79K | +18% | 510 |
| Iowa | $79K | +18% | 190 |
| Illinois | $77K | +14% | 960 |
| Arizona | $76K | +12% | 180 |
| New Mexico | $74K | +11% | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $71K | +5% | 110 |
| Kansas | $70K | +4% | 280 |
| Wyoming | $70K | +3% | 180 |
| Missouri | $70K | +3% | 120 |
| California | $69K | +3% | 560 |
| Arkansas | $69K | +2% | 80 |
Track rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median is $54,400 a year - that works out to about $26.16 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,360, and experienced rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators can clear $61,780. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,812/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,573/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 41.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators salary go in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands has a Regional Price Parity of 98.63 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators salary is worth about $55,156 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.