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Signal and Track Switch Repairers: Career Overview
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
The Daily Work of Signal and Track Switch Repairers Perform?
The core tasks performed by signal and track switch repairers span:
- Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors.
- Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts.
- Test and repair track circuits.
- Drive motor vehicles to job sites.
- Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems.
- Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates.
- Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment.
- Replace defective wiring, broken lenses, or burned-out light bulbs.
What Signal and Track Switch Repairers Need to Know
Successful signal and track switch repairers rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Related Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Communications Maintainer
- Electric Track Switch Maintainer
- Gate Technician
- Light Rail Signal Technician
- Rail Signal Designer
- Rail Signal Inspector
- Rail Signal Mechanic
- Rail Track Maintainer
How Many Signal and Track Switch Repairers Are There?
There are about 165,534 signal and track switch repairers working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +10.2% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Signal and Track Switch Repairers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $53,048 |
| Hourly median | $25.50 |
| 10th percentile | $32,849 |
| 25th percentile | $42,949 |
| 75th percentile | $63,148 |
| 90th percentile | $73,248 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $101,800 |
| New York | $92,280 |
| Washington | $92,080 |
| Indiana | $89,110 |
| Illinois | $87,250 |
| Missouri | $84,240 |
| Kansas | $83,860 |
| Texas | $83,000 |
| California | $82,650 |
| Wisconsin | $82,060 |
| Colorado | $81,790 |
| Oregon | $81,180 |
| New Jersey | $80,880 |
| Michigan | $80,040 |
| Minnesota | $79,370 |
| Florida | $79,270 |
| Tennessee | $78,650 |
| Arizona | $76,830 |
| Virginia | $75,840 |
| North Carolina | $74,320 |
| Ohio | $57,410 |
| Georgia | $56,130 |
| Kentucky | $55,110 |
Where Signal and Track Switch Repairers Earn the Most
Earnings for signal and track switch repairers shift depending on where you work. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $101,800 | 1.9% | 0.65 |
| Far Western US | $85,125 | 8.6% | 0.57 |
| Plains States | $83,620 | 5.7% | 1.41 |
| Great Lakes | $82,249 | 17.5% | 1.38 |
| Rocky Mountains | $81,790 | 1.9% | 0.84 |
| Middle Atlantic | $79,387 | 35.0% | 3.09 |
| Southwest | $73,519 | 12.1% | 0.88 |
| Southeast | $65,734 | 17.4% | 1.48 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $106,220 | 120 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $92,280 | 1,070 |
Top Industries Employing Signal and Track Switch Repairers
The largest employers of signal and track switch repairers work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | 6,030 | $83,340 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of signal and track switch repairers reflects the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How to Become Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Typical signal and track switch repairers positions require less than a high school diploma as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Lighting Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Electricians (Supplemental)
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers (Supplemental)
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers (Supplemental)
- Avionics Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Primary-Long)
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment (Primary-Short)
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Students preparing for signal and track switch repairers commonly pursue programs in:
Construction Trades
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-9097.00 (Signal and Track Switch Repairers).
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