Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
SOC: 49-9097 O*NET: 49-9097.00
Median Salary
$83,600
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.7%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
What does a Signal and Track Switch Repairers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$57,410
10th percentile
Early Career
$75,680
25th percentile
Median
$83,600
50th percentile
Experienced
$95,620
75th percentile
Top Earners
$104,860
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$57,410
25th
$75,680
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$83,600
Mean: $84,940
75th
$95,620
90th
$104,860
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $47,450 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $75,680 and $95,620
- •Salary spread is 23.9% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 8,210 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:8,700
Top Industries
Rail Transportation71.7%
Rail Transportation71.7%
Support Activities for Transportation1.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.7%
Annual Openings:800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)8,700
Current
2034 (Projected)8,800
+1.7%
+100
Employment Change
+1.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Signal and Track Switch Repairers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 25 locations
New York
1,880 jobs$92,2803.70x
Texas
670 jobs$83,0000.91x
Illinois
630 jobs$87,2501.94x
Georgia
620 jobs$56,1302.39x
California
350 jobs$82,6500.36x
Pennsylvania
310 jobs$00.97x
Florida
300 jobs$79,2700.58x
New Jersey
250 jobs$80,8801.11x
Missouri
220 jobs$84,2401.38x
Washington
170 jobs$92,0800.92x
Indiana
160 jobs$89,1100.97x
Wisconsin
160 jobs$82,0601.03x
Ohio
160 jobs$57,4100.55x
Kansas
140 jobs$83,8601.80x
Massachusetts
130 jobs$101,8000.65x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Troubleshooting
100%
#2
Repairing
94%
#3
Equipment Maintenance
86%
#4
Quality Control Analysis
80%
#5
Operations Monitoring
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Equipment Selection
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Operation and Control
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Troubleshooting
advanced5.0
100%
Repairing
advanced4.7
94%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.3
86%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.0
80%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Equipment Selection
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
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:
Troubleshooting
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Repairing
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Equipment Selection
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers100%
5 shared skills
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines100%
5 shared skills
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Boilermakers82%
5 shared skills
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Equipment Selection
- →Critical Thinking
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Repairing
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Repairing
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 Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
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 OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
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 outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
12
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)General Responsibilities (9)
1
Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Drive motor vehicles to job sites.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Replace defective wiring, broken lenses, or burned-out light bulbs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Record and report information about mileage or track inspected, repairs performed, and equipment requiring replacement.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Lubricate moving parts on gate-crossing mechanisms and swinging signals.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •58% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Signal and Track Switch Repairers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Signal and Track Switch Repairers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.03
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.98
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.93
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.83
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.79
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.70
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.0
Dependability
4.0
Self-Control
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Integrity
3.8
Initiative
3.7
Cooperation
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Analytical Thinking
3.6
Concern for Others
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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