Rail Car Repairer salary in Iowa
Rail Car Repairers in Iowa earn a median of $60,550 a year ($29.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,910 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $67,530. Iowa ranks 23rd of 40 states for rail car repairers pay. There are 0.22 rail car repairers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rail car repairers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| 25th percentile | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Median | $60,550 | $29.11 |
| 75th percentile | $73,080 | $35.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,910 | $40.82 |
| Average (mean) | $62,280 | $29.94 |
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 | $5,045.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,522.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,328.85 |
| Weekly | $1,164.42 |
| Hourly | $29.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Highest-paying states for rail car repairers
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $50,510 | $24.28 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $59,680 | $28.69 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Tire Repairers and Changers | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Recreational Vehicle Service Technician | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $69,890 | $33.60 |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Bicycle Repairer | $34,240 | $16.46 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | $45,520 | $21.88 |
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | $49,930 | $24.01 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $52,160 | $25.08 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for rail car repairers in Iowa is $60,550 a year, or $29.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail car repairers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of rail car repairers in Iowa earn at least $84,910 a year. The top 25% earn $73,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail car repairers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,090 a year, and a quarter of rail car repairers earn $47,560 or less.
How many rail car repairers work in Iowa?
About 340 rail car repairers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.