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Signal and Track Switch Repairers in Washington

Thinking about a career as a Signal and Track Switch Repairers in Washington? Here’s what the data says. 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 Washington?

For a signal and track switch repairers working in Washington, the typical annual salary is $92,080 per year (or about $44.27/hour).Annual wages span from $63,780 at the 10th percentile to $131,210 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$63,780	$30.66
25th percentile	$76,190	$36.63
Median (50th)	$92,080	$44.27
75th percentile	$106,220	$51.07
90th percentile	$131,210	$63.08

The job concentration index in Washington nationwide is 0.92.

National Wage Comparison

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

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 165,534 signal and track switch repairers in the U.S.. In Washington alone, about 170 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 160 signal and track switch repairers.

Top Washington Metros for Signal and Track Switch Repairers

These are the Washington metros with the most signal and track switch repairers in Washington.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	120	$106,220

Top States for Signal and Track Switch Repairers Employment

The table below shows the states where 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

These states pay the most for 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

The most important 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

Key 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

Careers similar 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