Career Overview
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.
Also Known As
- Rail Car Mechanic
- Rail Car Repairer
- Rail Car Repairman
- Rail Car Welder
Alternate Job Titles
- Air Brake Adjuster
- Air Brake Man
- Air Brake Mechanic
- Air Brake Rigger
- Air Brake Worker
- Air Compressor Mechanic
- Air Valve Mechanic
- Air Valve Repairer
- Brake Adjuster
- Brake Liner
- Brake Reliner
- Brake Shoe Rebuilder
- Brake Specialist
- Breaker Mechanic
- Coach Mechanic
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Multilimb Coordination
- Finger Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Reaction Time
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
- Problem Sensitivity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Relationships
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- Mozilla Firefox
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Aligning pry bars
- Arc welders
- Automated car movers
- Automatic air brake testers
- Ball peen hammers
- Bearing dismounting presses
- Bearing presses
- Bogie testing benches
- Car hoists
- Combination squares
- Combination wrenches
- Cotter pin pullers
- Cutting torches
- Diagonal-cutting pliers
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Spend Time Standing
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $45,670 |
| Median | $65,680 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $92,000 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 18,300
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $60,640
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $49,670
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $63,980
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,540
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $60,500
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.