How to hire a freight car repairer

How to hire a freight car repairer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step freight car repairer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a freight car repairer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new freight car repairer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a freight car repairer job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the freight car repairer you need to hire. Certain freight car repairer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A freight car repairer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, freight car repairers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of freight car repairers.

   Type of Freight Car Repairer	Description	Hourly rate
   Freight Car Repairer	Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, rail transportation, and other industries.	$14-50
   Carman	A carman repairs and restores different kinds of vehicles. Although their responsibilities vary upon their company of employment, it usually entails inspecting vehicles for any damages, fixing or replacing components, attaching different parts, and doing minor paint jobs... Show more	$11-45
   Repairer	The job of a repairer is general maintenance of machinery, general repairs, and routine fixing. They have a very wide range of jobs depending on the organization or workplace... Show more	$20-29

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Air Brake Systems
   • Torches
   • Cranes

   Responsibilities:

   • Remove defective parts from the equipment by using cranes, hand tools, power tools and hoists.
   • Change out turnbuckles and couplers.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your freight car repairer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A freight car repairer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, freight car repairers' average salary in hawaii is 52% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level freight car repairers earn 72% less than senior-level freight car repairers.
   • Certifications. A freight car repairer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a freight car repairer's salary.

   Average freight car repairer salary

   $56,862yearly

   $27.34 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level freight car repairer salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 29, 2026

4. Writing a freight car repairer job description

   A freight car repairer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a freight car repairer job description:

   Freight car repairer job description example

   Apply now »
   
   Date:Sep 19, 2022
   
   Location: Decatur, IL, US, 62521 Normal, IL, US, 61761 Taylorville, IL, US, 62568 Springfield, IL, US, 62703
   
   Company: Norfolk Southern Corp.
   
   
   #LI-JR1
   
   Job Description
   
   Scope:Carmen's work shall consist of rail car inspection and maintenance in accordance with FRA and AAR Regulations. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk long distances over uneven terrain and sit for extended periods of time; reach for tools and objects with hands and arms; climb in the back of vehicles; stoop, kneel, or crouch; in all types of weather conditions. The employee must occasionally lift up to 50 pounds and be able to demonstrate how to properly use basic mechanic tools. The employee must be able to demonstrate proper welding and cutting techniques indoors and outdoors.
   
   - Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety and operations.
   
   - Inspect car components for compliance with AAR and FRA standards.
   
   - Obtain information from computer regarding car components, destination, lading, and repair records and/or to file data such as repair information, bad orders and car releases.
   
   - Able to proficiently use cutting torch in all positions.
   
   - Must qualify in SMAW and FCAW welding processes that include 2F, 3F and 4F positions.
   
   - Operate forklifts, light cranes, and car moving equipment.
   
   - Operate various vehicles, maybe required to obtain CDL for operation of Rewheel truck.
   
   - Rerail cars and locomotives by using rerailing equipment and perform other work associated with wreck service on the railroad.
   
   - Straighten, fabricate and replace steel parts such as: grab irons, handholds, ladders, ladder brackets, and sill steps.
   
   - Repair, remove, or replace defective components such as wheels, safety appliances, truck and brake equipment, couplers, yokes, draft gears, and air brake valves; weld broken parts or secure new parts.
   
   - Perform Class I brake test and Single car test in accordance with FRA Regulation 232.
   
   - Inspect, measure, and secure lading in accordance with AAR open top rules.
   
   - Perform other duties that may be assigned.
   
   Technical Skills/Abilities:
   
   - Understand oral and written communication
   
   - Problem solving and troubleshooting skills
   
   - Time Management
   
   - Soft computer skills
   
   - Mechanical aptitude
   
   Education and Experience:
   
   - High school diploma or GED
   
   - Mechanical experience
   
   - Welding and fabrication experience
   
   Freight Car Repairer rate progression:
   
   + 1st 40 days of training: 50% of full rate
   
   + Next 204 days of training:75% of full rate
   
   + Next 244 days of training:80% of full rate
   
   + After 488 days of training:100% of full Rate 100 % of full rate ($32.98)
   
   Work Conditions
   
   This position is full time, shift work consists of: Irregular hours, including nights, weekend, holidays and occasional overtime.
   
   Travel required for training.
   
   Company Overview
   
   Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is a Fortune 300 organization and one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers.
   
   We are a team of more than 20,000 employees working together to maintain our reputation as "The Thoroughbred of Transportation." As an industry leader, Norfolk Southern offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. At Norfolk Southern, we believe in celebrating our individuality. By leveraging the unique backgrounds and viewpoints of our employees, we can create a culture of innovation, respect, and inclusion. We know that employees thrive in a workplace where differing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences are freely shared and valued. As such, we encourage all employees to contribute their distinctive skills and capabilities to our organization.
   
   Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation and, gender identity. Together, we power progress. More information can be found at NS-EEO
   
   Don't just work here, thrive here

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find freight car repairers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your freight car repairer job on Zippia to find and recruit freight car repairer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit freight car repairers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new freight car repairer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the freight car repairer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new freight car repairer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a freight car repairer?