Rail Car Repairer

Explore This Path

Ideal for those who love hands-on work and problem-solving in the rail industry.
Ensure safe and efficient rail transport by maintaining and repairing vital components.
Work with diverse tools and techniques to keep trains running smoothly and safely.

💰 Earn $51K-$69K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 4.4% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.

Record conditions of cars, and repair and maintenance work performed or to be performed.
Inspect components such as bearings, seals, gaskets, wheels, and coupler assemblies to determine if repairs are needed.
Repair or replace defective or worn parts such as bearings, pistons, and gears, using hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and welding equipment.
Inspect the interior and exterior of rail cars coming into rail yards to identify defects and to determine the extent of wear and damage.
Remove locomotives, car mechanical units, or other components, using pneumatic hoists and jacks, pinch bars, hand tools, and cutting torches.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Good (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

1,800 Annually

Median Earnings

$62,880 in California

$65,030 Nationally

$25K

$50K

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$125K

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$250K

Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Rail Car Repairer? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@yaboii293

@esznceotg

@yaboii293

@grayson_thetrainnut

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Thinking and problem solving
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Operations Monitoring
Speaking

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Job security

Deep Dive

Rail Car Repairer

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years