How to hire a trackman

How to hire a trackman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step trackman hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a trackman job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new trackman
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a trackman job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your trackman job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a trackman for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a trackman to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a trackman that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of trackman salaries for various roles:

   Type of Trackman	Description	Hourly rate
   Trackman		$11-37

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • FRA
   • CDL
   • BARS
   • Track Maintenance
   • Ventilation
   • Switches
   • WAY Maintenance
   • Track Defects
   • Rail Cars
   • Track Components
   • Power Drills
   • Track Switches
   • Track Repair

   Responsibilities:

   • Job duties are to fix wrecks, maintain the karts, and manage the batting cages.
   • Train in FRA rules and regulation on track maintenance.
   • Install joint bars on newly weld track.
   • Operate various machines, repair track to CSX and FRA standards.
   • Build and maintain tracks, switches, clear snow during the winter, work on derailments
   • Remove and install existing rail, switches, crossings and ties on assign production crews.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your trackman job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A trackman can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, trackmen' average salary in south carolina is 54% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level trackmen 70% less than senior-level trackmen.
   • Certifications. A trackman with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a trackman's salary.

   Average trackman salary

   $44,463yearly

   $21.38 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level trackman salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a trackman job description

   A good trackman job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a trackman job description:

   Trackman job description example

   Performs routine maintenance and construction work on railroad tracks, bridges and right-of-way by performing the following duties.
   Responsibilities
   
   Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
   
   * Operates track maintenance equipment (i.e., portable grinder, spike puller, etc.) to grind ends of rails, remove old spikes, drive new spikes, cut ties, and perform related maintenance while working as a member of a work crew.
   * Uses power drill to drill holes through rail or tie plates for insertion of bolts and spikes.
   * Operates single- or multiple-head spike driving machine to drive spike into tie and secure rail.
   * Operates track wrench machine to tighten or loosen bolts at rail joints.
   * Operates rail saw to cut rail to specified lengths.
   * Loading, unloading, and general handling of materials and equipment as instructed.
   * Performing various type of bridge maintenance as needed.
   * Assisting other employees when and where instructed.
   * Strict compliance with FEC Safety Polices.
   
   Qualifications
   
   * High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
   * Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
   * Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide
   * Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
   * Required to have a Class B Commercial Driver's License to operate some types of equipment & vehicles.
   * May at times be called upon to lead a crew and/or gang of up to ten employees in the absence of the foreman.
   * While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
   * The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
   * While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions.
   * The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
   
   Qualified applicants will be considered for vacancies without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by prevailing state and federal laws, regulations and ordinances.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find trackmen for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your trackman job on Zippia to find and attract quality trackman candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting trackmen requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new trackman

   Once you have selected a candidate for the trackman position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a trackman?