How to hire a railroad worker

How to hire a railroad worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step railroad worker hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the railroad worker you need to hire. Certain railroad worker 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 railroad worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, railroad workers 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.

   Here's a comparison of railroad worker salaries for various roles:

   Type of Railroad Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Railroad Worker		$11-51

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Rail Cars

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist in the dismantling of vehicles to salvage parts using such hand tools as wrenches, pry bars, and hacksaws.
   • Assist in the dismantling of vehicles to salvage parts using such hand tools as wrenches, pry bars, and hacksaws.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your railroad worker job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A railroad worker can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, railroad workers' average salary in wyoming is 47% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level railroad workers 78% less than senior-level railroad workers.
   • Certifications. A railroad worker with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a railroad worker's salary.

   Average railroad worker salary

   $51,598yearly

   $24.81 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level railroad worker salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a railroad worker job description

   A job description for a railroad worker role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a railroad worker job description:

   Railroad worker job description example

   27141 S. Industrial Park Drive

   Elwood, Illinois 60421

   Offers on the Spot

   Do like working outdoors? Would you like to drive the latest brand new cars for a living? Are you looking for a career with great growth opportunities instead of just a job? If so - we want to talk to you!

   Come Join our Team!

   $17.46 per hour!!

   Paid Training!

   Hiring Immediately!

   If you are looking for a career and not just a job and have warehouse experience, laborer experience, lawn care, land scaping, carpentry, delivery, manufacturing, fast food, retail, customer service or no experience at all - we want to talk to you! All you need is a good work ethic and a drivers license!

   ITS ConGlobal is the industry-leading provider of intermodal rail terminal services, auto loading and unloading and container depot services. We take pride in consistently delivering superior and reliable service, a broad scope of services and an exemplary safety record. We’re currently seeking General Laborers – Car Runner to join our team.

   The General Laborer – Car Runner is responsible for unloading vehicles (driving) from railcars.

   General Laborer – Car Runner

   · Frequently climbs up/down railcars to access vehicles

   · Drives vehicles off railcars to parking areas within the yard

   · Removes and applies tie-down devices from vehicles

   · Opens and closes railcar doors

   · Inspects vehicles for damage

   This is an exciting time at ITSC and we’re seeking individuals to join our growing team! We offer full time employees the following; competitive compensation, benefits, 401K & vacation.

   Requirements

   · Valid Driver’s License

   · Ability to lift 40lbs. over head while standing

   · Physically & mentally able to climb ladders, 20 feet

   · Manual transmission experience preferred, not required

   · Open availability is required

   · Able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions

   · Willingness to complete a criminal background, drug screen and physical

   All qualified applicants will be given equal consideration regardless of race, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, color, religion, protected veteran status or national origin

   Company DescriptionNORTH AMERICA'S LARGEST INTEGRATED INTERMODAL SERVICE PROVIDER
   
   ITS ConGlobal (“ITSC”) is North America’s largest integrated intermodal services provider, with operations at over 120 locations across the U.S., Mexico and Costa Rica.
   
   ITSC is the largest rail terminal operator in North America by number of locations and is the only intermodal equipment depot operator with transcontinental scale. Through this integrated network, ITSC provides essential services to customers across the intermodal supply chain. These services include container and automotive operations, railcar switching, equipment maintenance and repairs, equipment storage, and container and parts sales, among others.
   
   ITSC is deeply-ingrained within North America’s intermodal and container supply chain infrastructure and has built decades-long relationships with its customers through superior operating efficiency, an unmatched safety record, and industry-leading technology capabilities.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right railroad worker for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit railroad workers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   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 railroad worker

   Once you've selected the best railroad worker candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing 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.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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.)

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