Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.
Rail Car Repairers
SOC: 49-3043 O*NET: 49-3043.00
Median Salary
$65,680
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.8%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.
What does a Rail Car Repairers do?
How much can you earn?
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$39,408
25th
$52,544
50th (Median)
$65,680
75th
$78,816
90th
$98,520
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:17,900
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.8%
Annual Openings:1,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)17,900
Current
2034 (Projected)18,400
+2.8%
+500
Employment Change
+2.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Repairing
100%
#2
Troubleshooting
92%
#3
Equipment Maintenance
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
78%
#5
Quality Control Analysis
70%
#6
Operations Monitoring
62%
#7
Operation and Control
56%
#8
Active Listening
48%
#9
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Repairing
advanced5.0
100%
Troubleshooting
advanced4.6
92%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.9
78%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.5
70%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.1
62%
Operation and Control
basic2.8
56%
Active Listening
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Repairing
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance78%
abilities
3.9/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance56%
abilities
2.8/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners80%
5 shared skills
Watch and Clock Repairers80%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Equipment Operators78%
5 shared skills
Avionics Technicians73%
5 shared skills
Boilermakers73%
5 shared skills
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Operation and Control
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Repairing
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Repairing
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Rail Car Repairers
Technology Intensity
High
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Adobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMozilla Firefox
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
VERY HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet very high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What education is required?
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience Required
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Job Training
Training of a few months to a year