Rail Car Repairers

Also Called: Rail Car Mechanic, Rail Car Repairer, Rail Car Repairman, Rail Car Welder

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$44,140

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Rail Car Repairers do

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.

  • 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.
Industry Areas:

Automotive & Machine Repair • Transportation

Training Program Areas:

Auto Collision • Automobile Technician • Heavy Equipment Mechanic • OCT-Only Automotive & Machine Repair • OCT-Only Transportation • Roustabout • Stationary Engineering • Transportation Office Support

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Spend Time Standing
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  • Face-to-Face Discussions

Tools

  • Pry bars
  • Screwdrivers
  • Hoists
  • Socket attachments and accessories
  • Railway lift table for engine and component

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Internet browser software
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Repairing
  • Troubleshooting
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Critical Thinking
  • Operation Monitoring

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
mechanical
design
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Business
management
Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road

Education

  • 61% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 38% Post-secondary certificate
  • 1% Associate's degree

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Rail Car Repairers Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Executive Secretaries & Executive Administrative Assistants

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Sales Representatives, Wholesale & Manufacturing, Technical & Scientific Products

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

  • Atlanta - Job Corps

    Atlanta, Georgia

  • Clearfield - Job Corps

    Clearfield, Utah

ACT & College

  • Albany Technical College

    Albany, GA

  • Allen County Community College

    Iola, KS

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Investigative (Thinker)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Innovation
  • Cooperation

Values

  • Support
  • Working Conditions
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Controlled Movement
  • Visual Understanding
  • Ideas and Logic

This is what Rail Car Repairers across the country typically make.

$21.22 / hour
$44,140 /year

Entry Level

$31.27 / hour
$65,030 /year

Median Level

$42.44 / hour
$88,280 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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