Electrician
Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.
- $63,190
- 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Transportation Equipment Electrician
Also called: Rail Electrician · Locomotive Electrician · Marine Electrician · Transit Vehicle Electrician
What transportation equipment electricians 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 transportation equipment electrician do?
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment, install, adjust or maintain electrical systems in trains, ships, buses and other transportation equipment. The median pay is $84,890 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Training program plus months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +5.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$84,890$40.81/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.4%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationPostsecondary nondegree awardBLS classification
- Time to trainTraining program plus months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs6,600Employment, 2025
What transportation equipment electricians do
Transportation equipment electricians keep vehicles’ electrical systems working. They install and repair wiring, lighting, control systems, motors and signals on locomotives, subway cars, ships, buses and aircraft ground equipment, using schematics and diagnostic tools.
A postsecondary training program and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects about average growth, and pay is strong.
Typical duties
- Install wiring and electrical systems
- Troubleshoot faults
- Repair motors and controls
- Read schematics
- Test systems
- Replace components
- Document repairs
Work environment and schedule
Electricians work in rail yards, transit shops, shipyards and maintenance facilities.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts including nights and weekends.
A day in the life
- Review the repair list.
- Diagnose a door control fault on a subway car.
- Trace wiring with schematics.
- Replace a traction motor connector.
See a full day in the life of a transportation equipment electrician →
Transportation Equipment Electrician salary
Half of transportation equipment electricians earned more than $84,890 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $50,750 for the lowest 10% to $116,810 for the top 10%.
Full transportation equipment electrician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a transportation equipment electrician
- Finish high school
- Complete an electrical program
- Join a railroad, transit agency or shipyard
- Learn vehicle systems
- Advance
A postsecondary electrical or electronics program plus on-the-job training is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a transportation equipment electrician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Schematic reading
- Wiring
- Motor controls
- Electronics
People skills
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Safety focus
- Teamwork
All transportation equipment electrician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong pay
- Specialized skills
- Union jobs common
- Steady public transit demand
Cons
- Shift work
- Tight spaces
- Outdoor yard work
- Small field
Certifications and licenses
- Electrical certificate: Postsecondary.
- FRA training: For rail.
- ABYC certification: For marine.
- ETA certification: Electronics.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Electrician: Repair.
- Lead Electrician: Lead crews.
- Shop Supervisor: Run shops.
Learn the job before day one
Our Transportation Equipment Electrician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as trace a fault with a schematic and crimp a reliable wire connection, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Avionics Technician
Install, test and repair the electronics that fly and navigate aircraft.
- $82,280
- 12–24 months
Rail Car Repairer
Inspect and repair freight cars, passenger cars and subway cars.
- $67,530
- 1–3 years of training
Industrial Electronics Repairer
Repair the electronic controls that run industrial machines.
- $74,090
- Training program plus a year or more on the job
Compare: Transportation Electrician vs. Electrician · Transportation Electrician vs. Avionics Technician · Transportation Electrician vs. Rail Car Repairer · Transportation Electrician vs. Industrial Electronics Repairer
Transportation Equipment Electrician FAQ
Where do these electricians work?
Railroads, transit agencies, shipyards and bus fleets.
Is pay good?
Yes, BLS reports strong median pay.
Do I need a degree?
A postsecondary certificate is typical.
How much does a transportation equipment electrician make?
The median annual wage for transportation equipment electricians was $84,890 ($40.81 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $50,750 and the highest 10% earned more than $116,810.
How long does it take to become a transportation equipment electrician?
Most people need about Training program plus months on the job of training. A postsecondary electrical or electronics program plus on-the-job training is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a transportation equipment electrician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More transportation equipment electrician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-2093 (Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment (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.