Many people want to enter the railroad industry one day and the first thing that comes to their mind is to find out the best-paying jobs in this railroads industry.
There are many jobs present in this industry because trains have been existing since the 19th century as a form of transportation and today, they are still one of the most popular forms of transportation.
Jobs in the railroad industry do not necessarily need a degree. But you must have a skill, little experience in railroad, and be ready to work with heavy equipment.
Also bear in mind that salaries are based on years of experience, promotion, and hard work therefore, one looking to start a career in this industry must be ready to commit hours of work to be successful.
As you go further in this article, you will get to know if jobs on the railroad are good ones, the average salary of a railroad worker, the best paying jobs in railroads, and the paycheck that comes with it.
What Is Railroad?
A railroad is a means of transporting goods and passengers on wheeled vehicles located on rails running on a track.
Railroads are the most efficient transportation mode for moving goods on the earth’s surface because they are used to move heavy commodities over a long distance.
Types Of Rail Transport
Below is a list of the most common types of rail transport;
- Rapid transit (High capacity transport trains).
- High-speed railways.
- Commuter rail.
- Monorail.
- Elevated railways.
- Trams and streetcars.
- Funiculars.
- The Fell mountain railway system.
Is Railroad A Good Career Path?
Yes, it is a good career path owing to its long existence, high technology modification, growing demand, and its various employment opportunities.
The railroad is one of the most in-demand jobs today due to its highly expanding workforce and its excellent earning potential.
There are also more than 50,000+ jobs in the railroad industry available for you to choose from.
Benefits Of Working In The Railroad
There are many benefits that will entice you more into taking up a career in a railroad company. Below are some of the benefits;
- They offer guarantee programs: This allows workers to stay in a job for an extended period of time.
- Ability to enroll in health insurance or retirement plans
- High Salary: A railroad worker is paid an hourly pay that is higher than many workers.
- Allows you to travel to other countries on the company terms
- Flexible schedules that allow you to relax with family and friends
Average Salary Of A Railroads Worker
Like I said earlier, the salary range of a railroad worker can vary and it also depends on so many factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
According to the U. S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, an average Railroad Worker’s salary is $48,967 but the range typically falls between $44,340 and $53,619 a year.(1)
You might also want to ask questions like how much do railroad workers make a month? or How much do railroad workers make an hour?
The average hourly rate for Railroad workers ranges from $21 to $26 with the average hourly pay of $24 and monthly between $2,000 to $4,000.(1)
Also, check out the best-paying jobs in public utilities.
Best Paying Jobs In Railroad
Now let’s dive into the main deal. Below I have explained the roles of the best paying jobs in railroad and the salaries they are being paid;
Signal Engineer
The first on my list of highest paying jobs in railroads is the signal engineer. They are in charge of designing systems that are used to control railroad traffic.
They also develop systems used to signal and control trains, including equipment on tracks, computer networks, and failsafe.
They are paid between $80,500-$160,000 per year.(2)
Locomotive Engineer
They are responsible for driving freights and locomotives from one station to another. They are in charge of inspecting the locomotive before use, operating the train using manual and computer controls and monitoring the instruments such as train speed, battery use, and air pressure.
An average locomotive engineer earns about $80,000 a year.(3), (4)
Signal Integrity Engineer
Another one of the best-paying jobs in railroads is Signal Integrity Engineer. For you to work in this field, you must have a degree in electronics engineering.
They are in charge of solving problems surrounding electrical current delivery in various devices and creating pathways for current to travel through circuitry.
Their salaries range from $104,000-$144,500 per year.(5)
Train Conductor
A Train Conductor is a person the train passenger will be interacting with most of the time. They are responsible for ensuring the passengers’ safety, managing the crew’s activities, and informing passengers of the next stop.
They also perform the crew’s activity on trains to ensure the train remains effective and arrives at its destination on schedule.
They are paid between $67,000 and $150,000 yearly.(6)
Signal Maintainer
This is another one of the best-paying jobs in the railroad industry. Their job as their name implies is to maintain signals.
They are in charge of testing, maintaining, and inspecting the signaling apparatus. They also make sure that the signal of the station functions appropriately.
Their estimated salary yearly is between $67,000-$150,000.(7)
Signal Processing Engineer
This is an information technologies expert who analyses the signal and also makes alterations to make them more accurate and reliable.
They are also in charge of developing, managing, and updating digital signals and creating algorithms to process them more efficiently.
They earn about $87,000-$125,000 per year.(8)
Communications Maintainers
Most Communications Maintainers work in areas where railways are located while others work in areas where they can conduct repair in a more controlled environment.
This job requires one who has experience as an electrician or telecommunications technician. They are paid an estimated average of $75,000 a year.(9)
Track Inspector
This is another one of the highest-paying jobs in railroads. A track inspector checks railway tracks often and makes sure that the track is in order for train passage.
They are in charge of maintaining detailed records about the condition of railroad tracks and submitting maintenance requests when necessary so that train engineers, railroad workers, and passengers can safely travel on the trails.
They are paid about $51,000-$107,500 per year.(10)
Depot Manager
They are solely responsible for managing a depot location of a particular business. Are you wondering what is done at a depot location?
A deport location is a collection point of different materials and products. Therefore a depot manager is in charge of overseeing the daily operation of a depot, Meeting an agreed profit target, and making sure that all safety regulations are promptly followed.
When working as a depot manager, you will always deal with customer and client service. A high school diploma can be enough for you to work in this field.
The estimated salary of a depot manager a year is between $50,000-$73,000.(11)
Train Dispatcher
A train dispatcher coordinates railroad traffic and passenger train movement to ensure the safety and efficiency of the train on the railway path.
They are in charge of monitoring the route of freight and passenger trains, controlling the remote track signals, and communicating with other workers that are involved in the weather or climate change.
They earn about $35,500-$51,000 per year.(12)
Summary Of The Best Paying Jobs In Railroad
Below is a tabled summary of the highest paying jobs in railroads, their average salary, and minimum education;
Railroad Jobs |
Average Salary |
Minimum Education |
| Signal Engineer | $100,000 | Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or electrical engineering technology. |
| Locomotive Engineers | $80,000 | High school diploma or certification from a recognized rail road institution. |
| Signal Integrity Engineers | $120,000 | Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. |
| Train Conductor | $70,000 | High school diploma or its equivalent. |
| Signal Maintainer | $80,000 | Associated degree in electrical engineering. |
| Signal Processing Engineer | $100,000 | Bachelor’s degree in communications engineering, mathematics, or a related field and industry experience. |
| Communications Maintainers | $75,000 | Bachelor’s degree in telecommunications. |
| Track Inspector | $65,000 | High school diploma or its equivalent. |
| Depot Manager | $60,000 | High school diploma or its equivalent. |
| Train Dispatcher | $40,000 | High school diploma or its equivalent. |
FAQ
Below are some questions you might want to ask on the best-paying jobs in railroad and the answers to them;
Which Railroad Is The Best To Work For?
The top three railroads to work for include Union Pacific, CSX, and Norfolk Southern. These railroads all have an impeccable reputation and competent, well-trained employees.
What Jobs Can You Do On The Railway?
Here is a list of jobs you can perform aboard a train:
- Crew member.
- Cook.
- Train engineer.
- Conductor.
- Utility clerk.
- Dispatcher.
- Trainyard manager.
- Welder.
What Does A Brakeman Do On The Railroad?
A brakeman is a rail transport worker whose original job was to assist the braking of a train by applying brakes on individual wagons.
What Railroad Does Bill Gates Own?
Bill Gates is the largest shareholder of the Canadian National Railway Company (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI), with a massive 13% stake in Canada’s flagship railroad operator.
Is It Hard To Become A Train Driver?
Train Driving is one of the most popular careers available, and every single TOC receives thousands upon thousands of applicants for each and every job opening.
With this in mind, the train driver application process is extremely competitive and this makes it difficult to become one.
Conclusion
Working in any railroad comes with lots of benefits you can’t just ignore. With this article on best-paying jobs in railroads, I believe that it has come to our knowledge that there are jobs in this industry that pay higher than others.
And you cannot just get there without meeting the requirements and having years of experience. But in all a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.
With your high school diploma or degree in a related field, you will have an opportunity to get one of the highest-paying jobs in this industry.