Salary guide
Rail Car Repairer Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What rail car repairers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median rail car repairer salary in the U.S. is $67,530 per year, or $32.46 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $46,800, while the top 10% earned more than $95,100.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Rail Car Repairer pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,800 | $22.50 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $54,520 | $26.21 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $67,530 | $32.47 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $84,570 | $40.66 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $95,100 | $45.72 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $54,520 | $67,530 | $84,570 |
| Per month | $4,543 | $5,628 | $7,048 |
| Every two weeks | $2,097 | $2,597 | $3,253 |
| Per week | $1,048 | $1,299 | $1,626 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects rail car repairer pay
- Certifications such as ASE, FAA A&P or manufacturer credentials
- Flat-rate versus hourly pay plans in repair shops
- Industry (aerospace and utilities often pay more than general repair)
- Shift work and overtime in plants running around the clock
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a rail car repairer
- Get credentialed: FRA brake inspection qualification, AWS welding certification, Railroad apprenticeship.
- Build specialty experience: Repair.
- Move up: roles such as lead carman and car shop foreman typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Rail Car Repairer pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of rail car repairers to change by +2.6% from 2025–35, about as fast as average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,600 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 49-3043 (“Rail car repairers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Rail Car Repairer salary FAQ
How much does a rail car repairer make per hour?
The median hourly wage for rail car repairers was $32.46 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $22.50 and the top 10% earned about $45.72 or more.
How much does a rail car repairer make a month?
At the median annual wage of $67,530, that works out to about $5,628 per month before taxes, or about $2,597 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a rail car repairer?
New rail car repairers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $46,800 and the 25th percentile was $54,520 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can rail car repairers earn more?
Common ways include earning FRA brake inspection qualification and AWS welding certification, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as lead carman.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-3043 (Rail car repairers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Rail car repairers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.