Track mechanic vs track worker

The differences between track mechanics and track workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a track mechanic has an average salary of $170,731, which is higher than the $43,598 average annual salary of a track worker.

The top three skills for a track mechanic include track vehicles, diesel engines and electrical systems. The most important skills for a track worker are BARS, switches, and CDL.

Track mechanic vs track worker overview

	Track Mechanic	Track Worker
Yearly salary	$170,731	$43,598
Hourly rate	$82.08	$20.96
Growth rate	4%	-
Number of jobs	34,390	19,987
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	49	44
Years of experience	4	-

Track mechanic vs track worker salary

Track mechanics and track workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Track Mechanic	Track Worker
Average salary	$170,731	$43,598
Salary range	Between $88,000 And $328,000	Between $27,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	Watertown, NY
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Genesee & Wyoming
Best paying industry	-	Transportation

Differences between track mechanic and track worker education

There are a few differences between a track mechanic and a track worker in terms of educational background:

	Track Mechanic	Track Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Track mechanic vs track worker demographics

Here are the differences between track mechanics' and track workers' demographics:

	Track Mechanic	Track Worker
Average age	49	44
Gender ratio	Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6%	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 17.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 27.1% Asian, 1.0% White, 49.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	10%

Differences between track mechanic and track worker duties and responsibilities

Track mechanic example responsibilities.

Conduct PMCS and perform sustainment maintenance in accordance with COSIS standards.
Dismantle and reassemble heavy track vehicle components using hoists and hand tools.
Inspect and troubleshoot track vehicle automotive systems, wheel vehicles and classify equipment.
Practice preventive maintenance with electrical and mechanical equipment to assure combat readiness.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Inspect MHE systems, subsystems and components.

Track worker example responsibilities.

Job duties are to fix wrecks, maintain the karts, and manage the batting cages.
Used hoists and cranes to lift work pieces to machines.
Adjust controls to activate jacks, tampers, and scraper blades.
Operate ballast regulators and tampers.
Receive and implement combat orders and direct deployment of personnel in offensive, defensive and retrograde operations.
Operate tamping gun, track mobile, dump truck, bulldozer, tamper, speed swing and bobcat.

Track mechanic vs track worker skills

Common track mechanic skills

Track Vehicles, 31%
Diesel Engines, 11%
Electrical Systems, 10%
Field Maintenance, 6%
Combat, 5%
Technical Manuals, 5%

Common track worker skills

BARS, 21%
Switches, 16%
CDL, 10%
Drill Holes, 10%
FRA, 8%
Track Components, 8%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Track Mechanic
Track Mechanic vs Track Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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