Railroad Track Equipment Operator
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Transportation & Logistics career
Railroad Signal Technician
Also called: Signal Maintainer · Track Switch Repairer · Signal Inspector · Crossing Signal Technician
What railroad signal technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a railroad signal technician do?
Signal and track switch repairers install, inspect, test, maintain or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches and related equipment. The median pay is $92,460 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Railroad training plus months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +1.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$92,460$44.45/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+1.8%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainRailroad training plus months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs8,700Employment, 2025
What railroad signal technicians do
Signal technicians keep rail traffic safe. They install, test and repair wayside signals, track circuits, switch machines and highway crossing gates, respond to failures at any hour and document FRA-required tests.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; electronics skills help. BLS projects about average growth, and pay is strong.
Typical duties
- Inspect signals
- Test track circuits
- Repair switch machines
- Maintain crossing gates
- Troubleshoot failures
- Document FRA tests
- Install new equipment
Work environment and schedule
Technicians work outdoors along tracks and in signal houses.
Schedule: Full time, with on-call duty for failures.
A day in the life
- Job briefing.
- Test a crossing’s gates and lights.
- Troubleshoot a track circuit.
- Lubricate a switch machine.
See a full day in the life of a railroad signal technician →
Railroad Signal Technician salary
Half of railroad signal technicians earned more than $92,460 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $62,610 for the lowest 10% to $119,550 for the top 10%.
Full railroad signal technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a railroad signal technician
- Finish high school
- Learn basic electronics
- Get hired as a signal trainee
- Complete railroad signal school
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; electronics training helps.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a railroad signal technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Signal systems
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Track circuits
- Switch machines
- Crossing systems
People skills
- Problem-solving
- Safety focus
- Reliability
- Independence
All railroad signal technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong pay
- Union benefits
- Technical work
- Public safety role
Cons
- On-call nights
- All weather
- Track hazards
- Travel within territory
Certifications and licenses
- FRA signal qualifications: Required.
- Roadway worker protection: Required.
- Electronics certificate: Helpful.
- CDL: Sometimes required.
Career path
- Signal Trainee: Entry.
- Signal Maintainer: Maintain.
- Signal Inspector: Inspect.
- Signal Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Railroad Signal Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as test a highway crossing warning system and troubleshoot a track circuit failure, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Railroad Signal Technician vs. Railroad Track Equipment Operator · Railroad Signal Technician vs. Electrician · Railroad Signal Technician vs. Transportation Electrician · Railroad Signal Technician vs. Railroad Conductor
Railroad Signal Technician FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is pay good?
Yes, BLS reports strong median pay.
Is on-call work required?
Usually.
How much does a railroad signal technician make?
The median annual wage for railroad signal technicians was $92,460 ($44.45 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $62,610 and the highest 10% earned more than $119,550.
How long does it take to become a railroad signal technician?
Most people need about Railroad training plus months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; electronics training helps.
Do you need a degree to be a railroad signal technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More railroad signal technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9097 (Signal and track switch repairers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Signal and track switch 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.