Track inspector vs tunnel inspector

The differences between track inspectors and tunnel inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a track inspector and a tunnel inspector. Additionally, a tunnel inspector has an average salary of $44,410, which is higher than the $40,437 average annual salary of a track inspector.

The top three skills for a track inspector include CDL, inspection reports and federal regulations. The most important skills for a tunnel inspector are construction management, TBM, and tunnel construction.

Track inspector vs tunnel inspector overview

	Track Inspector	Tunnel Inspector
Yearly salary	$40,437	$44,410
Hourly rate	$19.44	$21.35
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	17,232	16,597
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	2	2

Track inspector vs tunnel inspector salary

Track inspectors and tunnel inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Track Inspector	Tunnel Inspector
Average salary	$40,437	$44,410
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $64,000	Between $25,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between track inspector and tunnel inspector education

There are a few differences between a track inspector and a tunnel inspector in terms of educational background:

	Track Inspector	Tunnel Inspector
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common major	Business	Civil Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Track inspector vs tunnel inspector demographics

Here are the differences between track inspectors' and tunnel inspectors' demographics:

	Track Inspector	Tunnel Inspector
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4%	Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.4% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 6.0% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between track inspector and tunnel inspector duties and responsibilities

Track inspector example responsibilities.

Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.
Perform track inspection on mainline and interlocking tracks, turn outs, and switches.
Operate ballast regulators and tampers.
Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications.

Tunnel inspector example responsibilities.

Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.
Job duties include tunnel inspection for the Portland Eastside CSO project.
Perform inspection services for the commission of the Manhattan portion of NYC's largest capital program.
Frequent hyperbaric interventions are conducted at high pressures to maintain the condition of the TBM cutter head.
Facilitate safe quality operations with Herrenknecht double-shield TBM setup, mining, PCC segment lining, backfill grouting & contact grouting.
Develop technical reports of findings in the field with emphasis in the critical ones, to later be address by ACI.

Track inspector vs tunnel inspector skills

Common track inspector skills

CDL, 19%
Inspection Reports, 15%
Federal Regulations, 7%
State Regulations, 7%
Severe Weather, 6%
Switches, 5%

Common tunnel inspector skills

Construction Management, 57%
TBM, 29%
Tunnel Construction, 14%

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Track Inspector
Track Inspector vs Tunnel Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

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