Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Rail transportation workers, all other, support the rail industry in a variety of roles that fall outside the more widely recognized rail occupations. With national employment of about 2,000 workers, this is a relatively small field, but it offers a defined niche for people interested in rail operations who bring practical skills and reliability. The national median annual salary of $49,330 places this career in a solid earning range for those who qualify. Projected employment growth of 3.9% indicates that demand is expected to increase over time. The role suits individuals who are detail oriented, mechanically inclined, physically strong, and comfortable solving problems in real time. Strong speaking and listening skills, customer service focus, and adaptability also stand out as important strengths. For students, job seekers, or career changers looking for rail-related work that values hands-on abilities, this occupation can be a worthwhile option to explore, with opportunities concentrated in certain states and metro areas.
The national median annual salary for rail transportation workers, all other, is $49,330, but pay can vary significantly by location. Among the top states, Washington reports the highest median salary at $86,650, followed by Georgia at $78,500 and California at $60,360. Tennessee’s median of $48,660 is close to the national figure, while Texas comes in at $43,150. At the metro level, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, shows a median salary of $79,120, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, reports $68,250. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN, aligns with its state median at $48,660, while Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, has a median of $40,270. These variations highlight how choice of state or metro can significantly influence earning potential for this occupation.
Rail transportation workers, all other, account for about 2,000 jobs nationally. Projected employment growth of 3.9% suggests this occupation is expected to expand over the projection period. Annual openings are listed as 0, indicating that, based on the available figures, the labor market for this role may be limited or that openings may be infrequent or highly specialized. Even with growth projected, the modest employment base means that total job numbers remain small compared with many other occupations. For job seekers, this combination of a small workforce and projected growth points to a niche field where opportunities exist but are concentrated. Individuals considering this path may want to pay close attention to geographic patterns of employment and opportunity scores, since those factors strongly shape where positions are most likely to be available.
Location plays a major role in opportunities for rail transportation workers, all other. California stands out with an opportunity score of 67.38, the highest among states, supported by a median salary of $60,360 and employment of 230. Washington offers a notably higher median salary of $86,650 and an opportunity score of 56.29, though with a smaller employment level of 90. Texas and Tennessee each have employment around 110–120, with opportunity scores of 51.57 and 32.67, respectively, and median salaries in the low-to-mid $40,000s. Georgia combines a high median salary of $78,500 with a moderate employment level of 50 and an opportunity score of 41.49. At the metro level, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, have the strongest opportunity scores, 62.99 and 61.92. Houston and Nashville also show meaningful clusters of employment and defined salary levels, giving candidates several distinct geographic profiles to compare.
The typical education requirement for rail transportation workers, all other, is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who have completed secondary education and are ready to enter the workforce or transition from other roles. While formal postsecondary education is not listed as typical, employers place emphasis on specific skills. Being detail oriented and possessing fine motor abilities are important, as is mechanical aptitude and physical strength and stamina. The occupation also values problem solving and decision making, science knowledge, and critical and analytical thinking. Strong speaking and listening skills support effective communication, while adaptability and customer service skills help workers respond to changing conditions and interact with others. Together, these skills form a practical, hands-on profile that can appeal to students and career changers who prefer skill-based work supported by a high school education rather than extended academic training.
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