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AI Work Index

Headline risk

27%

Moderate Risk

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators

United States AI Work IndexISCO 3346title_match

United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.

15 current · 15.3 projectedConfidence high

Why This Score

Tasks 100%

Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities

Wage $67K

Median annual wage

Demand 2%

Projected employment change over 10 years

Preparation Zone 2

Typical preparation needed for this occupation

Occupation profile

Lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Includes ballast cleaning machine operators and railroad bed tamping machine operators.

Task evidence

100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage

Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works

United States Now

Median Wage

USD 67,370

Employment 2024

15.0K

Projected Change (2024–34)

1.6%

Openings (2024–34)

1.1K

Wage distribution

Bottom 10%: USD 45,72025th pctl: USD 51,630Median: USD 67,37075th pctl: USD 79,330Top 10%: USD 84,840

Demand outlook

Projections published, but no prose outlook available.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent Experience: —

Role Profile

Detail orientedAdaptabilityFine motor

Tasks

  • 1. Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts. AI use: 0%
  • 2. Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported. AI use: 0%
  • 3. Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws. AI use: 0%
  • 4. Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks. AI use: 0%
  • 5. Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together. AI use: 0%
  • 6. Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes. AI use: 0%

Technologies

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareTimekeeping software

Requirements

Minimum education level: 60.4%Minimum education level: 39.6%

Work context

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets 5.0/5
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions 5.0/5
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams 4.9/5
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable 4.8/5
Contact With Others 4.6/5
Telephone Conversations 4.4/5

Worker profile

Median age 40.9 · 404K employed

Under 25: 14% · 25–54: 65% · 55+: 21%

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