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Transportation

Rail Car Repairer

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.

Annual openings

28

Median wage

$86,630

Typical education

High school (GED)

Growth 2026–2032

0%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

High school (GED)

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

No previous work experience is required.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

High exposure

Many tasks are repeatable, so technology could reshape the day-to-day over time.

A typical day

  1. Repair or replace defective or worn parts such as bearings, pistons, and gears, using hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and welding equipment.
  2. Remove locomotives, car mechanical units, or other components, using pneumatic hoists and jacks, pinch bars, hand tools, and cutting torches.
  3. Test units for operability before and after repairs.
  4. Inspect components such as bearings, seals, gaskets, wheels, and coupler assemblies to determine if repairs are needed.
  5. Adjust repaired or replaced units as needed to ensure proper operation.
  6. Repair, fabricate, and install steel or wood fittings, using blueprints, shop sketches, and instruction manuals.
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