How much does a rail car repairer make?
Answer: A typical rail car repairer in the United States makes $67,530 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 21,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Rail car repairer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $46,800 | $67,530 | $95,100 | about 21,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $108,680 | about 770 |
| Maryland | $89,430 | about 560 |
| New York | $84,580 | about 2,000 |
| Illinois | $84,570 | about 2,000 |
| California | $68,370 | about 700 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience and useful skills, such as welding, and with the employer and location. Hours worked can matter too, and some railroad jobs have pay rates set by union agreements.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a rail car repairer do?
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars. Excludes “Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists” (49-3031).
What's a typical day like?
They inspect incoming rail cars, checking wheels, bearings, seals, and couplers for wear. Then they replace or weld damaged parts, test the car, and record what they fixed.
How to get this job
In the U.S., finish high school or earn a GED and apply; CSX requires applicants to be 18 and have mechanical experience. Learn through paid job training or an apprenticeship; welding skills help, and college is usually not needed.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some rail car repairers patch damaged car roofs with roofing material, cement, nails, and waterproof paint.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-3043.00
- www.csx.com/index.cfm/working-at-csx/job-overviews/mechanical/carman/
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes493043.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY