Rail Car Repairers
SOC code 49-3043 · O*NET-SOC 49-3043.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Rail Car Repairers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$67,530
a year
Hourly
$32.46
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$70,680
$33.98 per hour
Middle 50%
$54,520 – $84,570
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$46,800 – $95,100
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
21,350
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $46,800
- $22.50/hr
- 25th percentile
- $54,520
- $26.21/hr
- Median percentile
- $67,530
- $32.46/hr
- 75th percentile
- $84,570
- $40.66/hr
- 90th percentile
- $95,100
- $45.72/hr
What does a rail car repairer do?
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Test units for operability before and after repairs.
- Adjust repaired or replaced units as needed to ensure proper operation.
- Repair and maintain electrical and electronic controls for propulsion and braking systems.
How to become a rail car repairer
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 61% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)61%
- Post-Secondary Certificate38%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree1%
Common questions
How much does a rail car repairer earn?
The national median is $67,530 a year. The full range runs from $46,800 at the 10th percentile to $95,100 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a rail car repairer without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical4.5/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Design3.3/5
- Administration and Management3.2/5
- Building and Construction3.2/5
- Engineering and Technology3.2/5
- Transportation3.1/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Troubleshooting, Repairing, Equipment Maintenance, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Operation and Control.