Railroad Jobs

Railroads have been used as a means of transport since the introduction of man-powered vehicles in 6th century B.C. Greece, where limestone tracks were used to haul boats over the Corinth isthmus. Since then, technological advances and the low-friction physics behind rail transport have been credited with advancing the industrial revolution, creating national economies, turning the US into a economic superpower and more.

The average salary for railroad jobs in North America is right around $45,000 per year but this number is a bit misleading because pay ranges include salaries for operation of freight transport locomotives, long range passenger trains, and mass transit/subway systems along with lower paying administrative jobs that happen to be with rail transport companies. In fact, rail is one of the few industries where college is not required to earn a six-figure income. Some of the top annual salaries in the industry hover around the $100,000 range. For those working on the rails and running train systems, the average pay is around $60,000 per year.

Many of the railroad job titles with which one might be familiar have remained relatively unchanged for over a century. However, as with most industries, technological advancements have created a steady stream of new technical and engineering jobs on the railroad. In more advanced rail systems, a few of the jobs previously handled by a person are now automated; creating new jobs with rail industry suppliers. From magnetically propelled super trains to commuter trains outfitted with infotainment systems for every passenger, the rail industry is creating solid employment opportunities all over the world.

An abbreviated list of common railroad job titles includes:

Engineering (Building locomotives and rolling stock)

Chief Mechanical Engineer/ Rolling Stock Engineer / Locomotive Superintendent
Locomotive Engineer
Civil Engineer
Signaling Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Project Controls
Project Management
Construction
Permanent Way
Track Engineering
Quality Engineer
Health, Safety & Environmental Engineer
Document Control Engineer
Structural Engineering
Telecoms Engineer
Software Engineer
Systems Administrator

Train

Engineer (driver)
Boilerman
Chief fireman
Conductor (human transport)
Secondman
Freight Carman
Brakeman
Guard

Station

Station agent
Station master
Porter

Tickets

Ticket controller (transportation)
Revenue Protection Inspector
Ticket inspector

Operations

Train dispatcher
Dispatcher/ Logistics Coordinator
Crew Dispatcher
Clerk
Yardmaster
Yardmaster's Trainee
Freight Conductor
Signalman (rail)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators

Management

Road foreman of engines
Diesel Mechanic
Apprentice Diesel Mechanic
Freight Car Repairer
Apprentice Freight Car Repairer
Mechanical Service Operator
Diesel Electrician
Apprentice Diesel Electrician

Maintenance of way

Bridge inspector
Gandy dancer
Length runner
Railway lubricator
Section gang
Signal maintainer
Track inspector
Traquero
Platelayer
Navvy (navigator)
Work Equipment Mechanic
Apprentice Work Equipment Mechanic
Assistant Signal Person
Bridge and Building Electrician
Bridge and Building Carpenter
Mechanical Service Operator
Track Laborer/Welder
Utility Clerk
Electronic Technician
Installation Technician

Talascend has been providing rail industry clients and their suppliers with best-fit technical and engineering talent around the world for over half a century. Contact our rail specialist team to find out more about how we can help your staff your next project. Interested candidates can apply for railroad jobs directly or register with us to gain access to unpublished jobs and for future consideration here on our site.