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Rail car mechanic: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$67,530median pay per year, or $32.46 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $46,800lowest 10% earn less
  2. $54,52025th percentile
  3. $67,530median
  4. $84,57075th percentile
  5. $95,100top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Rail car repairers, the official name for a rail car mechanic, had a median pay of $67,530 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+2.6%[2]
Openings per year
1,600[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do rail car mechanics make?

The official BLS category is Rail Car Repairers. In May 2025 the median wage was $67,530 a year, or $32.46 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean wage was $70,680 a year, or $33.98 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4].

The range runs from the lowest to the highest earners. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $46,800 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $54,520[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $84,570, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $95,100[3]. BLS publishes percentile boundaries, not a starting salary[8].

Measure Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[3][9] $46,800 $22.50
25th percentile[3][9] $54,520 $26.21
Median[1] $67,530 $32.46
75th percentile[3][9] $84,570 $40.66
90th percentile[3][9] $95,100 $45.72

These figures cover wage and salary workers, full time and part time. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits[10]. About 21,350 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 40 states with published data, Massachusetts was listed first at a median of $108,680[12]. Maryland followed at $89,430 and Oregon at $87,470[12]. The states with the most jobs were Texas with 2,690, Illinois with 1,850 and New York with 1,730[13]. In Texas the median was $59,330, while in Illinois it was $84,570 and in New York $84,580[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the Washington, DC area was listed first at $103,540[14]. The New York area followed at $92,250 and the Baltimore area at $89,430[14]. The New York area had the most metro jobs at 800, and the Houston area had 790[15].

Show median pay in 40 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Massachusetts[12]$108,680770
Maryland$89,430560
Oregon$87,470230
Colorado$86,630250
Idaho$85,420110
New York$84,5801,730
Illinois$84,5701,850
Utah$83,980100
Virginia$83,720210
Arizona$81,230170
Delaware$78,900130
New Jersey$78,750410
Minnesota$77,800170
South Dakota$71,75090
California$68,370700
Missouri$68,290220
New Mexico$67,550120
Michigan$64,370370
Georgia$64,230980
Washington$63,410180
Pennsylvania$62,350970
Florida$62,260410
Iowa$60,550340
Oklahoma$60,54090
Indiana$60,490670
Maine$60,09070
Tennessee$60,090320
Kentucky$59,430770
Texas$59,3302,690
Wyoming$59,040250
Wisconsin$58,870220
Alabama$58,080280
Arkansas$53,810340
Ohio$53,480690
West Virginia$50,800100
Kansas$48,160300
Nevada$48,10050
Louisiana$47,970190
North Carolina$47,880350
Mississippi$47,480320

How to become a rail car mechanic

BLS describes the typical path like this.

In an ONET survey of 22 workers, 61% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required and 38% said a post-secondary certificate[16]. ONET places the job in Job Zone 1-2, which means very little to some preparation[17].

The training details below come from a BLS profile of heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians, which covers a wider group that includes rail car repairers[18]. For that group, workers with no formal background in heavy vehicle repair often get a few months of on-the-job training before routine tasks, and they usually become fully qualified after 3 to 4 years of work[19]. Postsecondary programs in diesel technology or heavy equipment mechanics may last 1 to 2 years for a certificate, and about 2 years for an associate's degree[20]. Graduates of those programs typically need less on-the-job training[21]. Some manufacturers offer certification in specific repair methods. It is not required, but it can show skill and usually brings higher pay[22].

What rail car mechanics do

These workers find faults in, adjust, fix or rebuild railroad rolling stock, mine cars and mass transit rail cars[23]. Typical tasks listed by O*NET include:

Job titles reported by workers include rail car welder, rail car sandblaster and freight maintenance specialist[25].

Where they work

The BLS profile for the wider technician group says many work indoors in repair shops, while some travel to worksites to make repairs[26]. The work often involves lifting heavy parts and tools, handling greasy and dirty equipment, and standing or lying in awkward positions[27]. Full-time work is typical in that group, many work evenings or weekends, and overtime is common[28]. About 1.9% of rail car repairers were self-employed in 2025[29].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 20,100 to 20,600 jobs, a gain of 500[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[30]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 1,600 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.9% of workers leave the labor force and 4.5% move to a different occupation[31].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay above the all-occupation median[1][4] and entry with a high school diploma and no related experience[6]. The training is long-term on the job[6]. Growth is a little slower than the all-occupation rate[2][30], though openings continue each year[5]. The work can be physical and dirty[27].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[32].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a rail car mechanic make an hour?
The median wage for rail car repairers was $32.46 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $22.50 and the 90th was $45.72[9].
What education do you need to be a rail car mechanic?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[6].
How long does it take to become a rail car mechanic?
BLS lists long-term on-the-job training for rail car repairers[6]. For the wider technician group, workers usually become fully qualified after 3 to 4 years of work[19].
Are rail car mechanics in demand?
BLS projects 2.6% growth from 2025 to 2035[2], with about 1,600 openings a year[5].
Which state pays rail car mechanics the most?
Massachusetts was listed first at a median of $108,680[12]. Texas had the most jobs at 2,690[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Rail Car Repairers in the US was $67,530 per year and $32.46 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Rail Car Repairers is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 20,100 to 20,600 jobs (a change of +500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Rail Car Repairers: 10th percentile $46,800, 25th percentile $54,520, 75th percentile $84,570, 90th percentile $95,100. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,600 openings for Rail Car Repairers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Rail Car Repairers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Rail Car Repairers was $70,680 per year and $33.98 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Rail Car Repairers: 10th percentile $22.50, 25th percentile $26.21, 75th percentile $40.66, 90th percentile $45.72. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 21,350 people were employed as Rail Car Repairers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Rail Car Repairers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Rail Car Repairers jobs: Texas 2,690; Illinois 1,850; New York 1,730; Nebraska 1,130; Georgia 980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Rail Car Repairers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $103,540; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $92,250; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $89,430; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $87,470; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $62,250; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $59,820; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $59,310; San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $58,120. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Rail Car Repairers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 800 (median $92,250); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 790 (median $59,310); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 570 (median $62,250); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 370 (median $59,820); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 250 (median $103,540); Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 230 (median $89,430). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 49-3043.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 61%, Post-Secondary Certificate 38% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. O*NET 49-3043.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. 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. O*NET OnLine
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians" covers Rail Car Repairers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Rail Car Repairers. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Rail Car Repairers. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 49-3043.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Freight Maintenance Specialist, Locomotive Repairman, Rail Car Maintenance Mechanic, Rail Car Mechanic, Rail Car Repairer, Rail Car Repairman, Rail Car Sandblaster, Rail Car Welder. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Employment Projections: 1.9% of Rail Car Repairers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  30. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Rail Car Repairers: 2.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  32. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.