Rail Car Repairer salary in Illinois
Rail Car Repairers in Illinois earn a median of $84,570 a year ($40.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,170 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $67,530. Illinois ranks 7th of 40 states for rail car repairers pay. There are 0.30 rail car repairers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,540, close to the median.
Pay range for rail car repairers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| 25th percentile | $66,220 | $31.84 |
| Median | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| 75th percentile | $94,530 | $45.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,170 | $46.24 |
| Average (mean) | $79,540 | $38.24 |
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 | $7,047.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,523.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,252.69 |
| Weekly | $1,626.35 |
| Hourly | $40.66 |
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 in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,250 | 570 |
Highest-paying states for rail car repairers
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $49,170 | $23.64 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $64,340 | $30.93 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Tire Repairers and Changers | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $71,370 | $34.31 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Bicycle Repairer | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | $41,630 | $20.02 |
| Recreational Vehicle Service Technician | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $56,720 | $27.27 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for rail car repairers in Illinois is $84,570 a year, or $40.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail car repairers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of rail car repairers in Illinois earn at least $96,170 a year. The top 25% earn $94,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail car repairers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,820 a year, and a quarter of rail car repairers earn $66,220 or less.
How many rail car repairers work in Illinois?
About 1,850 rail car repairers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.