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Rail Maintenance Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

American Track

Railroad Trackman

Vancouver, WA · On-site

Description Build your career with an innovative and sustainable railroad maintenance and construction team at American Track! Our company is rapidly growing, and we have plenty of opportunities ...

Drummac, Inc.

Coach Cleaner (Railroad)

Portland, OR · On-site

... passenger rail. We provide these services using in-house resources, which enables us to provide ... They must adhere to and maintain strict compliance with corporate/office policies and procedures ...

CRH

Industrial Maintenance Technician

Portland, OR · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

Industrial Maintenance Technician Architectural Products Group Portland, Oregon, United States Job ... railing, Catalyst™ Fence Solutions, Sakrete ® packaged concrete, Amerimix ® mortar, Pebble ...

CRH

Industrial Maintenance Technician

Portland, OR · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

... railing, Catalyst™ Fence Solutions, Sakrete ® packaged concrete, Amerimix ® mortar, Pebble ... Job Summary Responsible for overall maintenance and repair of equipment, tools, and machinery as ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsRail Maintenance JobsRail Maintenance Jobs in Portland, OR

Rail Maintenance information

See Portland, OR salary details

$13

$33

$59

How much do rail maintenance jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for rail maintenance in Portland, OR is $33.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.47 and $40.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is rail maintenance?

Rail maintenance refers to the ongoing inspection, repair, and upkeep of railway tracks, signals, and associated infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient train operations. This work includes tasks such as replacing worn rails, fixing track alignment, maintaining signaling systems, and clearing debris from tracks. Rail maintenance crews use specialized equipment and often work during off-peak hours to minimize disruptions to train schedules. Regular maintenance is crucial for preventing accidents, reducing delays, and extending the lifespan of railway assets.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a rail maintenance worker?

To thrive as a Rail Maintenance Worker, you need strong mechanical aptitude, knowledge of rail infrastructure, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent, sometimes supplemented by vocational training. Familiarity with specialized tools, safety systems, and certifications such as OSHA or track safety credentials is often required. Attention to detail, reliability, and teamwork are essential soft skills for performing inspections and repairs efficiently. These skills ensure the safe and continuous operation of rail systems, minimizing risks and service disruptions.

What are some of the most common challenges faced by rail maintenance technicians, and how can they be addressed?

Rail maintenance technicians often encounter challenges such as working in harsh weather conditions, adhering to tight maintenance schedules, and ensuring safety standards are met on active railways. Addressing these challenges requires effective teamwork, ongoing safety training, and adaptability to rapidly changing situations. Many employers support technicians by providing comprehensive safety gear, regular skills development workshops, and clear communication channels to coordinate with train operators and other maintenance teams.

What is the difference between Rail Maintenance vs Track Inspector?

AspectRail MaintenanceTrack Inspector
CertificationsRailway safety certifications, equipment operation licensesTrack inspection certifications, safety training
Work EnvironmentMaintenance yards, trackside, on-site repairsTrackside, inspection vehicles, remote locations
Employer & Industry UsageRail companies, transit authoritiesRail companies, regulatory agencies

Rail Maintenance involves repairing and maintaining railway infrastructure and equipment, ensuring safety and operational efficiency. Track Inspectors focus on examining tracks for defects, safety hazards, and compliance. While both roles require safety certifications and work in similar environments, Rail Maintenance is more hands-on with repairs, whereas Track Inspectors primarily assess track conditions to prevent accidents.

How to get into rail maintenance?

To enter rail maintenance, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with technical training or apprenticeships in railway systems, electrical work, or mechanical repair. Relevant skills include knowledge of safety protocols, ability to operate specialized tools, and sometimes certifications such as OSHA or equipment-specific licenses. Prior experience in construction, manufacturing, or transportation can also be beneficial.

What are popular job titles related to Rail Maintenance jobs in Portland, OR?

For Rail Maintenance jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Rail Maintenance jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Rail Maintenance jobs in Portland, OR are:

Rail Maintenance jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rail Maintenance job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,635 per year, or $33.5 per hour.

Railroad Trackman

American Track

Vancouver, WA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Description
Build your career with an innovative and sustainable railroad maintenance and construction team at American Track! Our company is rapidly growing, and we have plenty of opportunities available for accelerated advancement. Are you new to the industry? No worries. We provide position-specific training for all field and office work. We believe that having happy and healthy employees is key to our success, and we offer a wide range of competitive benefits to help our team manage their physical and financial wellness. If you're looking to grow in a hands-on and collaborative environment with one of the most experienced companies in the industry, we'd love to hear from you. Start your adventure building America’s infrastructure today!
The Railroad Trackman works as a crew member to maintain, repair, and replace rails, ties, switches, and ballast while using hand tools and operating heavy equipment. The position starts as a Trackman, with an opportunity to qualify as a Machine Operator once the necessary skills have been mastered. The Trackman usually reports to work daily at 6 a.m. and must be available to work full-time (40 hrs/week) subject to overtime, on-call (24/7), alternating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays. 
THERE WILL BE SOME TRAVEL!  If we travel it will usually be 4/10s with three days off)
What You'll Do:
  • Carry and place track materials using tools such as tie tongs, rail tongs rail forks, lining bars, shovels, and jacks.
  • Install railroad tracks and embankments including special track work, road crossing signage, and rail lubricator.
  • Repair, install, and replace signs on railroad crossings.
  • Align and slide track tie plates and cut rails to specified lengths.
  • Perform handle drilling activities for insertion of bolts or joints.
  • Align and gauge deviations in track surfaces in order to ensure train safety.
  • Remove brush and other vegetation from between rails.
  • Perform lubrication activities on joints, angle bars, and switches.
  • Complete authorized repairs and document outcomes of all repair activities
  • Lay and fix foundations for tracks, replace worn out or rough rail ends, rebuild roadbeds, and lay new rail sections.
  • Operate picks, shovels, bulldozers, and spike mauls for long periods of time (sometimes all day), as well as specialized hydraulic railroad power tools.
  • Attend callouts to repair damage done to tracks in the event of a derailment.
  • Right derailed rolling stock and assist in lubricating wheel bearings.
  • Follow company and federal rules, policies, and procedures – wear required safety equipment, respond to and act on safety concerns.
Why You'll Love Working for Us:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Coverage
  • PTO and Holidays
  • Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Short Term Disability Insurance
  • 401K
Requirements
What We Need from You:
  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Must pass all required assessments/trainings and be willing to submit to a background check, pre-employment drug screen, and random drug tests..
  • High School diploma (or equivalent) and previous experience in the railroad or other heavy construction or maintenance industry is preferred, but not required
  • Willing and able to travel to various job sites, including those that require overnight stay and short notice mobilization, and work in all weather conditions (extreme hot, cold, rain, snow, sleet, etc.)
  • Understand and follow verbal/visual communications; respond to audible and visual signals and warnings; recognize, avoid, and report potential hazards.
  • Interact effectively as a team member and be capable of working unsupervised at times.
  • Physical ability to stand; walk; sit; use hands; talk or hear; climb stairs and/or ladders; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; lift and/or move up to 100 pounds; ability to use close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjust focus.

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