Protective Service
Transit and Railroad Police
Also called: Law Enforcement Officer, Patrol Man, Patrol Officer, Patrolman
US median pay
$90,230
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.2%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
300
4,400 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
What they do day to day
- Prepare reports documenting investigation activities and results.
- Monitor transit areas and conduct security checks to protect railroad properties, patrons, and employees.
- Apprehend or remove trespassers or thieves from railroad property or coordinate with law enforcement agencies in apprehensions and removals.
- Direct security activities at derailments, fires, floods, or strikes involving railroad property.
- Patrol railroad yards, cars, stations, or other facilities to protect company property or shipments and to maintain order.
- Investigate or direct investigations of freight theft, suspicious damage or loss of passengers' valuables, or other crimes on railroad property.
- Examine credentials of unauthorized persons attempting to enter secured areas.
- Enforce traffic laws regarding the transit system and reprimand individuals who violate them.
- Provide training to the public or law enforcement personnel in railroad safety or security.
- Plan or implement special safety or preventive programs, such as fire or accident prevention.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Coordination3.2/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Negotiation3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security4.9/5
- Law and Government4.7/5
- English Language4.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
- Transportation3.7/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
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:
- Bachelor's degree28%
- Some college26%
- High school diploma21%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.