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Rail car repairer vs railroad mechanic

The differences between rail car repairers and railroad mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a rail car repairer has an average salary of $58,335, which is higher than the $45,304 average annual salary of a railroad mechanic.

The top three skills for a rail car repairer include hand tools, torches and . The most important skills for a railroad mechanic are mechanical equipment, mechanical repairs, and .

Rail car repairer vs railroad mechanic overview

Rail Car RepairerRailroad Mechanic
Yearly salary$58,335$45,304
Hourly rate$28.05$21.78
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs9,59233,732
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Rail car repairer vs railroad mechanic salary

Rail car repairers and railroad mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Rail Car RepairerRailroad Mechanic
Average salary$58,335$45,304
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $104,000Between $27,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between rail car repairer and railroad mechanic education

There are a few differences between a rail car repairer and a railroad mechanic in terms of educational background:

Rail Car RepairerRailroad Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingElectrical Engineering
Most common college--

Rail car repairer vs railroad mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between rail car repairers' and railroad mechanics' demographics:

Rail Car RepairerRailroad Mechanic
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 97.1% Female, 2.9%Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 1.6% White, 78.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 1.6% White, 78.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage1%1%

Differences between rail car repairer and railroad mechanic duties and responsibilities

Rail car repairer example responsibilities.

  • Ensure that work center technical publications and safety bulletins are up-to-date at all times and adhere to AAR standards.
  • Change out turnbuckles and couplers.

Railroad mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
  • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.

Rail car repairer vs railroad mechanic skills

Common rail car repairer skills
  • Hand Tools, 67%
  • Torches, 33%
Common railroad mechanic skills
  • Mechanical Equipment, 93%
  • Mechanical Repairs, 7%

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