How much does a rail car repairer make?
The median rail car repairer in the United States earns $67,530 per year, about $32.46 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all rail car repairers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 49-3043.
Rail car repairer salary range
Pay for rail car repairers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,800 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $95,100. The average (mean) wage of $70,680 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,800 | $22.50 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $54,520 | $26.21 | |
| Median (50th) | $67,530 | $32.46 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $84,570 | $40.66 | |
| 90th percentile | $95,100 | $45.72 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for rail car repairers (SOC 49-3043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Rail car repairer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Rail car repairers earn the most in Massachusetts at $108,680 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $47,480. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $108,680 | 770 |
| Maryland | $89,430 | 560 |
| Oregon | $87,470 | 230 |
| Colorado | $86,630 | 250 |
| Idaho | $85,420 | 110 |
| New York | $84,580 | 1,730 |
| Illinois | $84,570 | 1,850 |
| Utah | $83,980 | 100 |
| Virginia | $83,720 | 210 |
| Arizona | $81,230 | 170 |
| Delaware | $78,900 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $78,750 | 410 |
| Minnesota | $77,800 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $71,750 | 90 |
| California | $68,370 | 700 |
| Missouri | $68,290 | 220 |
| New Mexico | $67,550 | 120 |
| Michigan | $64,370 | 370 |
| Georgia | $64,230 | 980 |
| Washington | $63,410 | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,350 | 970 |
| Florida | $62,260 | 410 |
| Iowa | $60,550 | 340 |
| Oklahoma | $60,540 | 90 |
| Indiana | $60,490 | 670 |
| Maine | $60,090 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $60,090 | 320 |
| Kentucky | $59,430 | 770 |
| Texas | $59,330 | 2,690 |
| Wyoming | $59,040 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $58,870 | 220 |
| Alabama | $58,080 | 280 |
| Arkansas | $53,810 | 340 |
| Ohio | $53,480 | 690 |
| West Virginia | $50,800 | 100 |
| Kansas | $48,160 | 300 |
| Nevada | $48,100 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $47,970 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $47,880 | 350 |
| Mississippi | $47,480 | 320 |
State median wages for rail car repairers (SOC 49-3043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for rail car repairers
The BLS projects employment of rail car repairers to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 20,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 20,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,600 openings a year for rail car repairers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a rail car repairer
The typical entry-level education for rail car repairers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a rail car repairer earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $108,680) and the lowest (Mississippi, $47,480) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 21,350 people work as rail car repairers in the United States. At $67,530 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Rail car repairer salary FAQ
How much does a rail car repairer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a rail car repairer is $32.46. The middle half of rail car repairers earn between $26.21 and $40.66 per hour.
What is the highest rail car repairer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of rail car repairers earn more than $95,100 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a rail car repairer make a year?
The median annual salary for a rail car repairer is $67,530. The average (mean) wage of $70,680 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a rail car repairer a well paid job?
At $67,530 a year, a rail car repairer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 21,350 people work as rail car repairers in the United States.
Which state pays rail car repairers the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for rail car repairers at $108,680 a year. Maryland ($89,430) and Oregon ($87,470) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a rail car repairer a good career?
Employment of rail car repairers is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a rail car repairer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for rail car repairers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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