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Rail Excavator Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Qualdoc

Railroad Equipment Operator - CDL-A

Taneytown, MD · On-site

$57K/yr

... excavators, front-end loaders, bulldozers, rail-bound equipment, tractors, and skid-steer loaders ... * 3+ years operating heavy equipment , including backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end ...

Rogers Group

Loader Operator - Rail Cars

Princeton, KY · On-site

$23/hr

... Loader Operator to load out rail cars for our operation located in Princeton, KY. We offer ... dozer, excavator, or similar) preferred. * Previous experience in mining, quarry, aggregate ...

Qualdoc

Railroad Equipment Operator - CDL-A

Taneytown, MD · On-site

$57K/yr

... excavators, front-end loaders, bulldozers, rail-bound equipment, tractors, and skid-steer loaders ... * 3+ years operating heavy equipment , including backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end ...

Skillforce

Heavy Equipment Operator

Concord, CA · Remote

$45 - $55/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator (Civil / Environmental Excavation) Pay: $ 45 - $ 55 /hour Location ... rail, trench boxes, etc.) * Coordinating with laborers, spotters, and foreman during excavation ...

Skillforce

Heavy Equipment Operator

Woodinville, WA · Remote

$35 - $47/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator (Civil / Environmental Excavation) Pay: $3 5 - $47 /hour Location ... rail, trench boxes, etc.) * Coordinating with laborers, spotters, and foreman during excavation ...

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Rail Excavator Operator information

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How much do rail excavator operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for rail excavator operator in the United States is $26.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.63 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the rail excavator operator position?

A Rail Excavator Operator should possess strong mechanical aptitude, experience with heavy equipment operation, and a valid operator’s license or certification, often specific to rail-based environments. Familiarity with specialized rail excavators, track safety protocols, and related control systems is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and solid communication skills are important soft skills that enhance performance. These competencies ensure safe, efficient excavation work on or near railway tracks, minimizing disruptions and upholding safety standards.

What are the typical work environments and schedules for a rail excavator operator?

Rail Excavator Operators often work outdoors along railway lines, in diverse weather conditions, and may be required to travel to various job sites depending on project needs. Shifts can vary, including nights, weekends, and overtime, especially during urgent rail maintenance or construction projects. Operators usually work as part of a coordinated team with other rail professionals, such as track laborers and site supervisors, ensuring projects run smoothly and safely. The environment is safety-focused, and following strict protocols is essential at all times. This dynamic and collaborative atmosphere provides valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to advance to higher-level equipment or supervisory roles.

What is a rail excavator operator?

A Rail Excavator Operator operates specialized excavators designed for work on rail tracks. They perform tasks such as digging, grading, lifting, and material handling while ensuring safety and precision in a rail environment. Operators must be skilled in maneuvering equipment on and around tracks, often in challenging conditions. They work on railway construction, maintenance, and repair projects. Proper certification and adherence to railway safety regulations are essential for this role.

More about Rail Excavator Operator jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Rail Excavator Operator jobs? The most popular types of Rail Excavator Operator jobs are:
What states have the most Rail Excavator Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Rail Excavator Operator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Rail Excavator Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Rail Excavator Operator jobs are:
Rail Excavator Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rail Excavator Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 55% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,408 per year, or $26.2 per hour.

Railroad Equipment Operator - CDL-A

Qualdoc

Taneytown, MD • On-site

$57K/yr

Full-time, Per diem

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Railroad Equipment Operator - CDL-A
Location: Taneytown, MD
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Salary: $57,200.00, with higher pay possible based on experience
We are hiring a Class A CDL Equipment Operator to support railroad emergency response and field operations. This role involves transporting and operating heavy equipment, assisting with train re-railing, track work, load transfers, equipment maintenance, and related construction activities.
Schedule & Compensation
  • 40 hours guaranteed per week
  • Regular overtime; average workweek is 60+ hours including overtime
  • 24/7 on-call emergency response, including weekends and holidays
  • Time-and-a-half for hours worked outside Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM
  • Per diem, hotel expenses for travel, and layover pay when applicable
  • Full benefits package

Key Responsibilities
  • Perform DOT-compliant pre- and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment.
  • Operate tractor-trailers and safely transport machinery, materials, and equipment to and from work sites.
  • Inspect loads and verify permits for overweight and oversized transportation.
  • Participate in daily safety meetings and review work plans before starting assignments.
  • Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials for re-railing, load transfer, track work, grading, and railroad construction.
  • Assist with crane assembly, inspection, setup, and operation.
  • Rig and connect chains, cables, and winches during derailment recovery operations.
  • Operate equipment such as cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, excavators, front-end loaders, bulldozers, rail-bound equipment, tractors, and skid-steer loaders when qualified.
  • Assist with railroad track maintenance, repair, new construction, specialty lifting, and related field work.
  • Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools.
  • Monitor vehicles and equipment to maintain safe and reliable operation.
  • Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle service; report major mechanical issues to the appropriate supervisor.
  • Assist with equipment breakdown, loading, transportation, and site cleanup.
  • Restock vehicles and equipment with required parts, supplies, and components.
  • Sort and properly dispose of scrap materials.
  • Maintain clean, organized work areas, vehicles, and equipment.
  • Follow all safety policies and procedures and assist other departments as needed.

Requirements
  • Valid Class A CDL with a good driving record
  • Experience in construction, heavy labor, or a similar physically demanding field
  • Ability to complete required qualification tests, training, and safety programs
  • Must be available for 24/7 emergency response, including weekends and holidays
  • Ability to work safely around heavy machinery and other field personnel

Preferred Experience
  • 3+ years operating heavy equipment, including backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, front-end loaders, grapple trucks, rail-bound equipment, tractors, or skid-steer loaders
  • Equivalent combination of training and hands-on experience may be considered

Pre-Employment Requirements
  • Drug screening
  • Background check

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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About Qualdoc

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Strategic planning consulting services

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

2020

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