Transit and Railroad Police
SOC code 33-3052 · O*NET-SOC 33-3052.00 · Medium preparation needed · Legal and protective services
Transit and Railroad Police pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$90,230
a year
Hourly
$43.38
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$91,810
$44.14 per hour
Middle 50%
$68,990 – $119,290
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$57,690 – $125,910
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
4,390
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $57,690
- $27.73/hr
- 25th percentile
- $68,990
- $33.17/hr
- Median percentile
- $90,230
- $43.38/hr
- 75th percentile
- $119,290
- $57.35/hr
- 90th percentile
- $125,910
- $60.53/hr
What do transit and railroad police do?
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Prepare reports documenting investigation activities and results.
- Monitor transit areas and conduct security checks to protect railroad properties, patrons, and employees.
- Apprehend or remove trespassers or thieves from railroad property or coordinate with law enforcement agencies in apprehensions and removals.
- Direct security activities at derailments, fires, floods, or strikes involving railroad property.
- Patrol railroad yards, cars, stations, or other facilities to protect company property or shipments and to maintain order.
- Investigate or direct investigations of freight theft, suspicious damage or loss of passengers' valuables, or other crimes on railroad property.
- Examine credentials of unauthorized persons attempting to enter secured areas.
- Enforce traffic laws regarding the transit system and reprimand individuals who violate them.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 28% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree28%
- Some College Courses26%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)21%
- Post-Secondary Certificate14%
Common questions
How much does a transit and railroad police earn?
The national median is $90,230 a year. The full range runs from $57,690 at the 10th percentile to $125,910 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 transit and railroad police without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Monitoring3.4/5
- Writing3.3/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security4.9/5
- Law and Government4.7/5
- English Language4.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
- Transportation3.7/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
- Geography3.5/5
- Psychology3.5/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making.