Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators?AI replacement risk 20% and how the work is changing

United States Construction Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$70,070
25th–75th pct. $51,280–$81,670
Top pay (est.)
$113,600
Top 10% $87,420
Pay in 5 years
$81,600est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$95,100est.
$81,800–$110,400
Outlook score
47/100
★★☆☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
20%
Very low
Job growth (10 yr)
+1.5%
1,200 openings / yr

Will AI replace Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators? AI replacement risk

20%
Very low
Ranked #123 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Key skills

Operations Monitoring
3.1
Operation and Control
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Troubleshooting
3.0
Quality Control Analysis
3.0
Equipment Maintenance
3.0
Repairing
3.0
Judgment and Decision Making
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Transportation
4.6
Building and Construction
4.4
Engineering and Technology
4.4
Production and Processing
4.3
Public Safety and Security
4.3
Education and Training
4.1
Mechanical
4.0
Mathematics
3.8

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsControlling Machines and ProcessesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentGetting Information

Important abilities

Control PrecisionFar VisionReaction TimeMultilimb CoordinationTrunk StrengthVisualization

Training before entry

6–12 months
31%
1–3 months
23%
None / short demo
17%
Up to 1 month
15%
4–10 years
6%
1–2 years
4%
3–6 months
3%

Related work experience

None
38%
1–2 years
28%
6–12 months
13%
1–3 months
12%
6–8 years
6%
3–6 months
3%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.