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Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Rail Car Repairers

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Rail Car Repairers
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Median pay

$65,680
Median annual pay for Rail Car Repairers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

2.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

17,900
Estimated U.S. employment for Rail Car Repairers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+500
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mechanical
  2. 2Production and Processing
  3. 3Design
  4. 4Administration and Management
  5. 5Building and Construction
  6. 6Engineering and Technology

Abilities

  1. 1Arm-Hand Steadiness
  2. 2Control Precision
  3. 3Manual Dexterity
  4. 4Multilimb Coordination
  5. 5Finger Dexterity
  6. 6Near Vision

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Stress Tolerance

Work activities

  1. 1Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  4. 4Handling and Moving Objects
  5. 5Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  3. 3Spend Time Standing
  4. 4Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  5. 5Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  6. 6Exposed to Contaminants

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Inspect the interior and exterior of rail cars coming into rail yards to identify defects and to determine the extent of wear and damage.
  • Remove locomotives, car mechanical units, or other components, using pneumatic hoists and jacks, pinch bars, hand tools, and cutting torches.
  • Test units for operability before and after repairs.
  • Adjust repaired or replaced units as needed to ensure proper operation.
  • Repair, fabricate, and install steel or wood fittings, using blueprints, shop sketches, and instruction manuals.

Software and tools

Disassembler software · in demandAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMozilla Firefox · hot technologyMicrosoft Internet ExplorerRailTech Software Solutions Rail 21 Management SystemRailTech Software Systems Mars for the 21st Century

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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