Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Rail Car Repairers
Also called: Freight Maintenance Specialist, Locomotive Repairman, Rail Car Maintenance Mechanic, Rail Car Mechanic
US median pay
$67,530
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2.6%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
1,600
20,100 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Perform scheduled maintenance, and clean units and components.
- Examine car roofs for wear and damage, and repair defective sections, using roofing material, cement, nails, and waterproof paint.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Troubleshooting4.0/5
- Repairing4.0/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.8/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.2/5
- Operations Monitoring3.2/5
- Operation and Control3.1/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.5/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Design3.3/5
- Administration and Management3.2/5
- Building and Construction3.2/5
- Engineering and Technology3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma61%
- Post-secondary certificate38%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.