Will “Machine Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
89% Chance of Automation
“Machine Operator” will probably be replaced by robots.
This job is ranked #528 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.
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Job Description
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.
Job Details
- The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-4061.00
- The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 52,810.00
- The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 25.00
- Currently, there are 14,250 people on this job
☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators”.
Also Known As…
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
- Trackman
- Track Walker
- Track Supervisor
- Track Repairer
- Track Maintainer
- Track Laborer
- Track Inspector
- Track Equipment Operator (TEO)
- Rail Maintenance Worker
- Trackwalker
- Track Welder
- Track Surfacing Machine Operator
- Track Service Worker
- Track Service Person
- Track Repair Worker
- Track Repair Person
- Track Moving Machine Operator
- Track Mechanic
- Track Man
- Track Machine Operator Repairer
- Track Laying Machine Operator
- Track Laying Equipment Operator
- Track Layer
- Track Grinder Operator
- Track Dresser
- Stone Crusher Operator
- Slab Lifting Supervisor
- Section Laborer
- Section Hand
- Section Gang
- Railway Equipment Operator
- Railroad Track Mechanic
- Rail Track Maintainer
- Rail Track Layer
- Portable Grinding Machine Operator
- Operator
- Oil Distributor Tender
- Machine Operator
- Emergency Service Restorer
- Ballast Cleaning Machine Operator
Tasks for “Machine Operator”
- Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.
- Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
- Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.
- Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.
- Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.
- Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.
- Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.
- Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.
- Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
- Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.
- Operate track-wrench machines to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.
- String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.
- Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.
- Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.
- Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.
- Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.
- Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.
- Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.
- Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
- Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.
- Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.
- Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.
- Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.
- Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.
- Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.
- Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
Related Technology & Tools
- Shovels
- Rail drills
- Portable track loading fixtures
- Pneumatic hammers
- Crowbars
- Precision files
- Backhoes
- Vernier calipers
- Rail profile grinders
- Tamping machines
- Grease guns
- Handheld computers
- Gas-powered wrenches
- Shielded arc welding tools
- Fall protection harnesses
- Tracked bulldozers
- Laptop computers
- Oxyacetylene torches
- Power washers
- Forklifts
- Jackhammers
- Rail saws
- Air-powered wrenches
- Rail-mounted cranes
- Welders
- Rail tongs
- Air drills
- Protective ear plugs
- Pesticide sprayers
- Picks
- Light pickup trucks
- Power grinders
- Safety glasses
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Dump trucks
- Spike pullers
- Weed cutters
- Hard hats
- Rail benders
- Precision tape measures
- Air purifying respirators
- Dollies
- Track chisels
- Safety gloves
- Hi-rail vehicles
- Grading equipment
- Track-wrench machines
- Hydraulic jacks
- Claw bars
- Timekeeping software
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Excel