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Signal and Track Switch Repairer

What Do Signal and Track Switch Repairer Do?

Signal & Track Switch Repairer Job Description Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.

Life As a Signal & Track Switch Repairer: What Do They Do?

  • Test air lines and air cylinders on pneumatically operated gates.
  • Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates.
  • Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed.
  • Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems.
  • Clean lenses of lamps with cloths and solvents.
  • Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Signal & Track Switch Repairer?

Signal and Track Switch Repairers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Equipment Selection: Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • Signal Technician
  • Signal Systems Expert
  • Signal Inspector
  • Signal System Testing Maintainer
  • Light Rail Signal Technician

Is There Job Demand for Signal and Track Switch Repairers?

In the United States, there were 10,000 jobs for Signal and Track Switch Repairer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Signal and Track Switch Repairer by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,000 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Signal & Track Switch Repairer are Utah, Nebraska, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Signal and Track Switch Repairers Make A Lot Of Money?

The average yearly salary of a Signal & Track Switch Repairer ranges between $36,680 and $91,760.

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Signal and Track Switch Repairers who work in North Dakota, California, or Illinois, make the highest salaries.

How much do Signal and Track Switch Repairers make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
California $83,960
Colorado $54,250
Florida $56,380
Georgia $59,920
Illinois $76,110
Indiana $71,480
Kansas $61,570
Kentucky $73,710
Massachusetts $71,290
Michigan $65,610
Minnesota $39,660
Missouri $58,990
Nebraska $63,370
New Jersey $69,930
North Carolina $69,910
North Dakota $79,510
Oklahoma $58,310
Oregon $72,870
Pennsylvania $69,770
Tennessee $62,370
Texas $68,100
Virginia $74,860
Washington $74,550
Wisconsin $66,260

What Tools do Signal and Track Switch Repairers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Signal and Track Switch Repairers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Maintenance management software

How do I Become a Signal & Track Switch Repairer?

Individuals working as a Signal and Track Switch Repairer have obtained the following education levels:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Signal & Track Switch Repairer?

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Are you already one of the many Signal and Track Switch Repairer in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

Image Credit: Fran Hogan via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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