Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

O*NET-SOC code: 47-4061.00

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.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery high
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
Source dataset (XLSX download)
Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
Source dataset (CSV download)
Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.09
0.09Range of values carried here0.70
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

26 rated tasks · 0 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (0.0%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.

Source: OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release: gh-main-0471612
License: MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported. O*NET Task ID 13643	0.0
Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes. O*NET Task ID 13644	0.0
Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts. O*NET Task ID 13645	0.0
Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels. O*NET Task ID 13646	0.0
Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders. O*NET Task ID 13647	0.0
Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws. O*NET Task ID 13648	0.0
Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement. O*NET Task ID 13649	0.0
Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications. O*NET Task ID 13650	0.0
Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills. O*NET Task ID 13651	0.0
Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders. O*NET Task ID 13652	0.0
Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together. O*NET Task ID 13653	0.0
Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks. O*NET Task ID 13654	0.0
Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails. O*NET Task ID 13655	0.0
Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges. O*NET Task ID 13656	0.0
Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment. O*NET Task ID 13657	0.0
Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks. O*NET Task ID 13658	0.0
Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails. O*NET Task ID 13659	0.0
Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties. O*NET Task ID 13660	0.0
Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained. O*NET Task ID 13661	0.0
Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications. O*NET Task ID 13662	0.0
Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering. O*NET Task ID 13663	0.0
Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved. O*NET Task ID 13664	0.0
String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled. O*NET Task ID 13665	0.0
Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails. O*NET Task ID 13666	0.0
Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings. O*NET Task ID 13667	0.0
Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs. O*NET Task ID 20798	0.0

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (26)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)	Type
Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.	Core
Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.	Core
Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.	Core
Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.	Core
Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.	Core
Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.	Core
Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.	Core
Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.	Core
Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.	Core
Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.	Core
Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.	Core
Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.	Core
Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.	Core
Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.	Core
Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.	Core
Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.	Core
Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.	Core
Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.	Core
Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.	Core
String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.	Core
Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.	Core
Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.	Supplemental
Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.	Supplemental
Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.	Supplemental
Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.	Supplemental
Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.	Supplemental

Anthropic, "What work can robots do?"2026-09

1.21/ 3· Robot exposure index

0 none3 unstructured settings

Scale, basis and source

Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time

Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks

Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.

Source dataset

The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.

Tier of each physical task

Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)

E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site

Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.

Task (O*NET 29.3)	Robot environment tier
Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.	E2 structured facilities
Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.	E0 none
Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.	E2 structured facilities
Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.	E2 structured facilities
Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.	E2 structured facilities
Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.	E0 none
Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.	E2 structured facilities
Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.	E0 none
Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.	E3 unstructured settings
Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.	E2 structured facilities
Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.	E2 structured facilities
Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.	E1 purpose-built robot settings

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025: 17K
Projected employment, 2035: 18K
Change (2025–35): +1.5%
Median annual wage, 2025: $70,070
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent

lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO code	KSCO title	Relation	Status
78421	철로 설치원	This occupation is broader	confirmed
78422	철로 보수원	This occupation is broader	confirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

ISCO-08 9312Civil Engineering Labourers

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Civil engineering labourers perform routine tasks in connection with the building and maintenance of roads, railways, dams and other civil engineering projects.

Tasks

(a) digging and filling holes and trenches using hand held tools;
(b) shovelling and spreading gravel and related materials;
(c) trimming and cutting rocks and concrete and bitumen surfaces using jack-hammers;
(d) loading and unloading construction materials, excavated material and equipment and transporting them around construction sites using wheelbarrows and hand trucks;
(e) cleaning worksites and removing obstructions.

Example occupations

Construction labourer (civil engineering) · Earthmoving labourer · Maintenance labourer (dams)

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

rail maintenance technicianESCO 3112.1.10Same scope
Rail maintenance technicians execute routine inspections of railway tracks, powerlines, signage stations, switches, and other railway infrastructure. They are also sent out to repair defects quickly, safely, and at any time of the day or night.
rail layerESCO 9312.1.2This occupation is broader
Rail layers construct railway tracks on prepared sites. They monitor equipment that sets railroad sleepers or ties, usually on a layer of crushed stone or ballast. Rail layers then lay the rail tracks on top of the sleepers and attach them to make sure the rails have a constant gauge, or distance to each other. These operations are usually done with a single moving machine, but may be performed manually.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME code	ROME title (French)	Relation
F1711	Poseur / Poseuse de voies ferrées	Same scope

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 code	CNO-11 title (Spanish)	Relation
8331	Operadores de maquinaria de movimientos de tierras y equipos similares	Related, not a match
9601	Peones de obras públicas	Related, not a match

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB code	KldB title (German)	Relation
32232	Berufe im Gleisbau - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten	This occupation is narrower
51222	Berufe in der Überwachung und Wartung der Eisenbahninfrastruktur - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten	Related, not a match
32233	Berufe im Gleisbau - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO code	JSCO title (Japanese)	Relation
682	鉄道線路工事従事者	Same scope
645	建設・さく井機械運転従事者	Related, not a match

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources