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Watco

Track Laborer - Houston, TX

Location

Houston, TX

Wage

$20 – $21/hr

Employment Type

Full-time

Apply for This Position

Posted on September 3, 2026

Job Description

Overview

Watco is dedicated to keeping the world's supply chain moving through its railroads, terminals, and logistics hubs. The Track Laborer position involves inspecting, repairing, and maintaining railroad track infrastructure to ensure safe service for customers.

Responsibilities

  • Assist with inspecting, loading & unloading, distribution and installation of rail and track materials.
  • Assist with inspecting, grinding, fabrication and repair of rail and track components.
  • Assist with inspection, maintenance, repair and construction of track turnouts and infrastructure.
  • Assist with inspection, construction, demolition, and maintenance of track surface structure.
  • Inspect and maintain road crossings, bridges, culverts, and tunnels.
  • Cut and dispose of vegetation using tools and manual labor.
  • Clean ice, snow, dirt, and debris from switches.
  • Accurate and timely reporting as required.
  • Read and accurately interpret company documents and regulations.
  • Communicate professionally and effectively.
  • Learn and apply a comprehensive understanding of track authority.
  • Comply with performance metrics and deadlines.
  • Practice safe work habits and follow company policies.
  • Respond promptly to any accident, incident or emergency call.
  • Read gauges and maintenance manuals.
  • Operate equipment such as backhoe and track hoe.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • Must possess a valid driver’s license.
  • Must have a TWIC card or be able to obtain one upon hire.
  • Must be 18 years of age or older with High School or GED equivalent.

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation and benefits.
  • Paid on-the-job training.
  • Leadership and development programs.
  • Career advancement opportunities.

Additional Information

  • Starting Pay: $20.00 - $21.00 per hour, depending on experience.
  • Schedule: 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM.
  • Location: 14035 Industrial Rd., Houston, TX 77015.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and benefits.
Paid on-the-job training.
Leadership and development programs.
Career advancement opportunities.
Apply for This Position

How this job compares in Houston, TX

Pay in context

At roughly $21/hr, this posting comes in about 21% below the $26/hr median for welding jobs in Houston, TX, where the middle half runs $22–$34/hr across 76 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 17% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. That gap is worth raising directly — in a market this size there is normally room to negotiate toward the median, particularly if you already hold the certifications the posting asks for.

The local market in Houston, TX

We're tracking 326 other active welding openings in Houston, TX right now, from 193 different employers. 116 of them were added in the last week. Across Texas as a whole we're tracking 1,322 other active welding openings from 712 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Houston, or widen the search to Texas.

Watco currently has 1 other opening live in Texas, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in Texas at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Welding Shop in Houston, TX (27), Zachry Group (22), and Austin Industries (16). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Texas, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Pasadena at $40/hr, Arlington at $39/hr, and Midlothian at $38/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Houston, TX

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Track Laborer - Houston, TX figures were last recalculated when this page was built.