Rail Car Repairers

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

Also called: Freight Maintenance Specialist, Locomotive Repairman, Rail Car Maintenance Mechanic, Rail Car Mechanic, Rail Car Repairer, Rail Car Repairman, Rail Car Sandblaster, Rail Car Welder, Railroad Car Repairman, Train Car Repairman, 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, Compressor Mechanic, Controller Mechanic, Drop Pit Worker, Freight Car Builder, Freight Car Repairer, Freight Repairer, Gearman, Interior Mechanic, Interlocker Maintainer, Interlocking Mechanic, Machine Overhauler, Mechanical Unit Repairer, Mine Car Mechanic, Mine Car Repairer, Plow Mechanic, Pullman Car Repairer, Rail Car Repair Carman, Rail Specialist, Railroad Brake Repairer, Railroad Equipment Car Repairer, Railroad Mechanic, Railroad Repairer, Repair Laborer, Repair Specialist, Repair Technician, Repair Worker, Roundhouse Worker, Signal Mechanic, Street Car Mechanic, Streetcar Repairer, Structural Repairer, Subway Car Repairer, Tank Car Mechanic, Tank Car Reconditioner, Test Rack Operator, Tipple Mechanic, Triple Valve Mechanic, Triple Valve Tester, Trolley Car Mechanic, Trolley Car Overhauler, Valve Mechanic, Valve Repairer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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, machines and equipment

Troubleshooting
Repairing
Equipment Maintenance
Critical Thinking
Operations Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Operation and Control
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Monitoring

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (61.41% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

54,520–84,570 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 49-3043.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (61.41% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Rail Car Repairers