Rail construction and maintenance operatives salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£44,445
Typical Annual pay range
Understanding Rail construction and maintenance operatives pay in the UK
The typical rail construction and maintenance operatives in the UK earns a median salary of £44,445 in 2025/26. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
The middle half of rail construction and maintenance operatives earnings fall between £37,877 and £53,815 a year. That spread reflects the usual gap between newer entrants and more experienced rail construction and maintenance operatives.
Where you work changes the picture: rail construction and maintenance operatives pay ranges from £24,945 in South West up to £54,210 in East of England, a difference of £29,265 (117%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see rail construction and maintenance operatives pay in East of England or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
East of England is the highest-paying region for rail construction and maintenance operatives at £54,210 — 22% above the UK median. South West is lowest at £24,945.
UK median £44,445
| Region | Median payUK median £44,445 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East of England | £54,210 | £54,210 | £60,778 | +22% |
| South East | £50,016 | £50,016 | £48,639 | +13% |
| Scotland | £46,319 | £46,319 | £47,964 | +4% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £43,525 | £43,525 | £46,108 | -2% |
| London | £43,505 | £43,505 | £49,439 | -2% |
| East Midlands | £42,059 | £42,059 | £47,180 | -5% |
| North East | £35,338 | £35,338 | £38,574 | -20% |
| West Midlands | £34,326 | £34,326 | £34,738 | -23% |
| North West | £30,098 | £30,098 | £32,137 | -32% |
| South West | £24,945 | £24,945 | £25,826 | -44% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| East of England £54,210 | £54,210Mean £60,778 | +22% |
| South East £50,016 | £50,016Mean £48,639 | +13% |
| Scotland £46,319 | £46,319Mean £47,964 | +4% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £43,525 | £43,525Mean £46,108 | -2% |
| London £43,505 | £43,505Mean £49,439 | -2% |
| East Midlands £42,059 | £42,059Mean £47,180 | -5% |
| North East £35,338 | £35,338Mean £38,574 | -20% |
| West Midlands £34,326 | £34,326Mean £34,738 | -23% |
| North West £30,098 | £30,098Mean £32,137 | -32% |
| South West £24,945 | £24,945Mean £25,826 | -44% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£44,445); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Make it local
Calculate take-home pay for your region
Choose a region above to see local rail construction and maintenance operatives pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow rail construction and maintenance operatives pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for rail construction and maintenance operatives by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
▪ 25th–75th percentile range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
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