Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Also called: Railroad Signal Maintainer, Signal and Communications Maintainer, Signal Inspector, Signal Maintainer
US median pay
$92,460
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.8%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
800
8,700 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
What they do day to day
- Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors.
- Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts.
- Test and repair track circuits.
- Drive motor vehicles to job sites.
- Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems.
- Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates.
- Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment.
- Replace defective wiring, broken lenses, or burned-out light bulbs.
- Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed.
- Record and report information about mileage or track inspected, repairs performed, and equipment requiring replacement.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Troubleshooting4.1/5
- Repairing4.0/5
- Equipment Maintenance4.0/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.9/5
- Operations Monitoring3.8/5
- Equipment Selection3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4/5
- Operation and Control3.1/5
Knowledge
- Transportation3.7/5
- Mechanical3.7/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Public Safety and Security3.5/5
- Telecommunications3.1/5
- Engineering and Technology3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Less than high school34%
- High school diploma29%
- Post-secondary certificate24%
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.