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Railroad Maintenance Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Federal Railroad Administration

IA

$89K/yr

Design, maintenance, or inspection of various types of locomotive and freight cars currently in use and their capabilities and limitations. * Installation, maintenance, or testing of railroad safety ...

Federal Railroad Administration

IA · On-site

$89K/yr

Design, maintenance, or inspection of various types of locomotive and freight cars currently in use and their capabilities and limitations. * Installation, maintenance, or testing of railroad safety ...

Union Pacific

Track Laborer - Regional - Onawa, IA

Onawa, IA · On-site

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Experience of 1 year or more in Railroad Maintenance of Way work * Willing to work on-call, overtime, various shifts, 7 days a week, as well as weekends and holidays * Have a permanent residence ...

Union Pacific

Welder Helper - Mason City, IA

Mason City, IA

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Description Become part of a dedicated group of Welder Helpers who have been instrumental in maintaining Union Pacific's railroad tracks for over 150 years! As a Welder Helper, you will actively ...

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Railroad Maintenance information

See Iowa salary details

$11

$29

$52

How much do railroad maintenance jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for railroad maintenance in Iowa is $29.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.68 and $35.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is railroad maintenance?

Railroad maintenance refers to the regular inspection, repair, and upkeep of railroad tracks, equipment, and infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient train operations. This includes tasks like replacing worn rails and ties, maintaining signals and switches, and clearing debris from tracks. Railroad maintenance workers use specialized tools and machinery to perform these duties, often working outdoors and sometimes during overnight hours. Their work is essential for preventing accidents and minimizing service interruptions.

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

To thrive as a Railroad Maintenance Worker, you need knowledge of track inspection, repair procedures, and mechanical aptitude, often supported by a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Familiarity with specialized tools such as track gauges, hydraulic jacks, and safety certifications like FRA compliance are typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong problem-solving skills help workers identify issues and coordinate repairs efficiently. These skills ensure the safety, reliability, and smooth operation of rail systems.

What are the most common challenges faced in a railroad maintenance role, and how are they typically addressed?

Railroad Maintenance professionals often encounter challenges such as working in varying weather conditions, addressing unexpected equipment failures, and adhering to strict safety protocols. Teams typically overcome these obstacles through thorough safety training, regular equipment inspections, and effective communication with dispatchers and other crews to coordinate track availability and minimize disruptions. Being adaptable, detail-oriented, and proactive in problem-solving helps ensure safe and efficient rail operations.

What is the difference between Railroad Maintenance vs Track Inspector?

AspectRailroad MaintenanceTrack Inspector
Primary RolePerforms repairs, repairs, and upkeep of railroad tracks, signals, and infrastructureInspects tracks for defects, safety issues, and compliance with regulations
Required CertificationsOSHA safety training, sometimes certifications in track maintenanceRailroad safety certifications, track inspection training
Work EnvironmentMaintenance yards, trackside, sometimes outdoors in various weather conditionsTrackside, rail yards, often outdoors and in variable weather
Employer & Industry UsageRailroads, transit agencies, freight companiesRailroads, transit authorities, safety agencies

Railroad Maintenance workers focus on repairing and maintaining tracks and infrastructure, while Track Inspectors primarily assess track conditions for safety and compliance. Both roles require safety certifications and work outdoors in similar environments, but their core responsibilities differ—maintenance involves hands-on repairs, whereas inspection emphasizes evaluation and reporting.

How to get into railroad maintenance?

To enter railroad maintenance, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and should be physically capable of working outdoors and handling heavy equipment. Relevant skills include knowledge of safety procedures, mechanical aptitude, and sometimes certifications such as OSHA safety training; on-the-job training is common, and some positions may require a valid driver's license or specialized certifications.

What are popular job titles related to Railroad Maintenance jobs in Iowa?

For Railroad Maintenance jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Railroad Maintenance jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Railroad Maintenance jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Railroad Maintenance jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Railroad Maintenance job openings:

Railroad Maintenance jobs near you
Infographic showing various Railroad Maintenance job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $61,674 per year, or $29.7 per hour.

Railroad Laborer (Trackman) I

Muscatine, IA • On-site

OWS Construction and Railroad Maintenance Ltd
See more jobs at OWS Construction and Railroad Maintenance Ltdexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job 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!
What You'll Do:
  • Carry and place track materials using standard Railroad maintenance track tools.
  • Install railroad tracks and embankments including special track work, road crossing signage, and rail lubricator.
  • Preform Railroad track maintenance and construction activities to include Changing rail, ties, building track, adjusting switches, etc.
  • Operate picks, shovels, and spike mauls for long periods of time.
  • Operate specialized hydraulic and air railroad power tools.
  • Attend after hour/ weekend callouts to repair damage done to tracks in the event of a derailment.
  • Assist in re-railing train cars.
  • Follow company and federal rules, policies, and procedures - wear required safety equipment, respond to and act on safety concerns.

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

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
This is an evergreen posting that supports our ongoing talent pipeline and is used to collect applications for future openings. We review all submissions, and candidates whose qualifications best align with our needs will be contacted as opportunities become available.
Thank you for your interest in this position and for taking the time to apply. We appreciate your patience as we review all applications. While we will provide updates as soon as they are available, please note that we may not be able to respond to all applicants individually.

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