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Signal and Track Switch Repairers in Kentucky

Want to work as a Signal and Track Switch Repairers in Kentucky? Here’s what you need to know. Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.

What do Signal and Track Switch Repairers Make in Kentucky?

For a signal and track switch repairers working in Kentucky, wages run about $55,110 per year (or roughly $26.49/hour).Earnings range from $52,010 at the 10th percentile to $80,790 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$52,010	$25.00
25th percentile	$52,050	$25.02
Median (50th)	$55,110	$26.49
75th percentile	$80,740	$38.82
90th percentile	$80,790	$38.84

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Kentucky compared to the national average — is 0.53, suggesting fewer signal and track switch repairers per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, signal and track switch repairers earn a median of $53,048 per year ($25.50/hour), higher than the Kentucky median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 165,534 signal and track switch repairers nationwide. In Kentucky alone, around 60 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 160 signal and track switch repairers.

Top States for Signal and Track Switch Repairers Employment

View the states that employ the most signal and track switch repairers work.

State	Number Employed
New York	1,880
Texas	670
Illinois	630
Georgia	620
California	350
Pennsylvania	310
Florida	300
New Jersey	250
Missouri	220
Washington	170
Indiana	160
Ohio	160
Wisconsin	160
Kansas	140
Massachusetts	130
Colorado	130
Michigan	110
Virginia	110
Tennessee	90
Oklahoma	90

Highest-Paying States for Signal and Track Switch Repairers

Where signal and track switch repairers earn the most: signal and track switch repairers.

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

Skills

Key signal and track switch repairers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for signal and track switch repairers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, signal and track switch repairers typically:

• 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.
• Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed.
• Record and report information about mileage or track inspected, repairs performed, and equipment requiring replacement.
• Lubricate moving parts on gate-crossing mechanisms and swinging signals.
• Clean lenses of lamps with cloths and solvents.

Work Activities

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
• Getting Information
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Electrical & Power Installation

Related Careers

Related occupations to signal and track switch repairers include:

• Lighting Technicians
• Electricians
• Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
• Avionics Technicians
• Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

Also Known As

Communications Maintainer, Electric Track Switch Maintainer, Gate Technician, Light Rail Signal Technician, Rail Signal Designer, Rail Signal Inspector, Rail Signal Mechanic, Rail Track Maintainer, Railroad Signal Maintainer, Railroad Transportation Signal Maintainer, Railway Signal Technician, Register Repairer, Signal Expert, Signal Inspector, Signal Maintainer.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 49-9097.00