Rail Car Repairer salary in the U.S.
Rail Car Repairers in the U.S. earn a median of $67,530 a year ($32.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 21,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,100 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $70,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rail car repairers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| 25th percentile | $54,520 | $26.21 |
| Median | $67,530 | $32.46 |
| 75th percentile | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,100 | $45.72 |
| Average (mean) | $70,680 | $33.98 |
Half of rail car repairers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,627.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,813.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,597.31 |
| Weekly | $1,298.65 |
| Hourly | $32.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Rail Car Repairer salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $108,680 | 770 |
| Maryland | $89,430 | 560 |
| Oregon | $87,470 | 230 |
| Colorado | $86,630 | 250 |
| Idaho | $85,420 | 110 |
| New York | $84,580 | 1,730 |
| Illinois | $84,570 | 1,850 |
| Utah | $83,980 | 100 |
| Virginia | $83,720 | 210 |
| Arizona | $81,230 | 170 |
| Delaware | $78,900 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $78,750 | 410 |
| Minnesota | $77,800 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $71,750 | 90 |
| California | $68,370 | 700 |
| Missouri | $68,290 | 220 |
| New Mexico | $67,550 | 120 |
| Michigan | $64,370 | 370 |
| Georgia | $64,230 | 980 |
| Washington | $63,410 | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,350 | 970 |
| Florida | $62,260 | 410 |
| Iowa | $60,550 | 340 |
| Oklahoma | $60,540 | 90 |
| Indiana | $60,490 | 670 |
| Maine | $60,090 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $60,090 | 320 |
| Kentucky | $59,430 | 770 |
| Texas | $59,330 | 2,690 |
| Wyoming | $59,040 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $58,870 | 220 |
| Alabama | $58,080 | 280 |
| Arkansas | $53,810 | 340 |
| Ohio | $53,480 | 690 |
| West Virginia | $50,800 | 100 |
| Kansas | $48,160 | 300 |
| Nevada | $48,100 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $47,970 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $47,880 | 350 |
| Mississippi | $47,480 | 320 |
Best-paying metro areas for rail car repairers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $103,540 | 250 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $92,250 | 800 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $89,430 | 230 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $87,470 | 150 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,870 | 70 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,250 | 570 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,120 | 90 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $59,820 | 370 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,810 | 90 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $59,310 | 790 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $58,120 | 130 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $56,820 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $54,120 | 80 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $53,530 | 40 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $50,910 | 80 |
Metro areas with the most rail car repairers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 800 | $92,250 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 790 | $59,310 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 570 | $62,250 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 370 | $59,820 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 250 | $103,540 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 230 | $89,430 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 190 | $56,820 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 150 | $87,470 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 130 | $58,120 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 110 | $49,910 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 90 | $61,120 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 90 | $59,810 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 80 | $50,910 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 80 | $54,120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 70 | $76,870 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $65,510 | $31.50 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $54,890 | $26.39 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| Tire Repairers and Changers | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $56,550 | $27.19 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Recreational Vehicle Service Technician | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | $48,580 | $23.35 |
| Bicycle Repairer | $42,780 | $20.57 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $49,590 | $23.84 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-3043. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rail car repairer make in the U.S.?
The median salary for rail car repairers in the U.S. is $67,530 a year, or $32.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail car repairers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of rail car repairers in the U.S. earn at least $95,100 a year. The top 25% earn $84,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail car repairers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,800 a year, and a quarter of rail car repairers earn $54,520 or less.
How many rail car repairers work in the U.S.?
About 21,350 rail car repairers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.