Career comparison
Locomotive Engineer vs. Rail Car Repairer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Locomotive engineers earn more at the median ($81,410 vs. $67,530), while locomotive engineers usually get to work faster (1–2 years including conductor time of training). Locomotive engineers operate freight and passenger trains safely across the rail network. Rail car repairers inspect and repair freight cars, passenger cars and subway cars.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Locomotive Engineer | Rail Car Repairer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $81,410 ($39.14/hr) | $67,530 ($32.46/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $60,680 – $109,220 | $46,800 – $95,100 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.5% (little or no change) | +2.6% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 2,000 | 1,600 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–2 years including conductor time | 1–3 years of training |
| Key credential | FRA locomotive engineer certification | FRA brake inspection qualification |
| Work setting | Engineers work in locomotive cabs in all weather, day and night. | Repairers work in rail yards and repair shops, often outdoors.. |
What each job does
Locomotive Engineer
- Inspect locomotives and equipment before departure
- Perform and verify air brake tests
- Operate throttle, dynamic and air brakes
- Follow signals, speed limits and track authorities
- Communicate with dispatchers and the conductor
Rail Car Repairer
- Inspect rail cars
- Repair brakes and couplers
- Replace wheels and bearings
- Weld and fabricate parts
- Test air brakes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve shift work. They sit in different fields, transportation & logistics and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as concentration and safety awareness.
Which should you choose?
Choose locomotive engineer if…
- I can concentrate for many hours
- I’m comfortable with irregular schedules
- I like operating big machines
Choose rail car repairer if…
- I like heavy equipment
- I can weld
- I don’t mind weather
Still torn? Take the Locomotive Engineer fit quiz and the Rail Car Repairer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, locomotive engineer or rail car repairer?
Locomotive Engineers earn more at the median: $81,410 versus $67,530 for rail car repairers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Locomotive Engineers typically train faster (1–2 years including conductor time) than rail car repairers (1–3 years of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects rail car repairers to grow +2.6% from 2025–35, compared with +0.5% for locomotive engineers.