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How to hire a train operator

Train operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring train operators in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a train operator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new train operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a train operator, step by step

To hire a train operator, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a train operator, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step train operator hiring guide:

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

What does a train operator do?

The Train Operator ensures the train gets to and from destinations in a timely and safe manner. This person is responsible for the train's operation, maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. The passengers' safety and convenience fall on the train operator's shoulders, and it is the operator's obligation that trains always depart and arrive on time. Add responsibilities of a train operator is to ensure the security of all passengers and to report all irregularities observed during one's duty.

Learn more about the specifics of what a train operator does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your train operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a train operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect train operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list presents train operator salaries for various positions.

    Type of Train OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Train OperatorTraining and development specialists plan, conduct, and administer programs that train employees and improve their skills and knowledge.$12-26
    Epic Credentialed TrainerEpic credential trainers are professionals who are trained at the hospital client where they provide training to users. The responsibilities of the trainers include the delivery of end-user training and assistance in technicalities... Show more$27-48
    Corporate TrainerA corporate trainer is someone who essentially works as a teacher in a corporate setting. Daily duties include training employees with new company systems, skills, and strategies... Show more$19-39
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Training Programs
    • Safety Procedures
    • Training Sessions
    • PowerPoint
    • Ladders
    • DOD
    • Training Courses
    • SME
    • HR
    • On-The-Job Training
    • Troubleshoot
    • Safety Rules
    • RF
    • ISO
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Develop training content for eLearning and instructor lead classrooms by evaluating Predix user experiences.
    • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
    • Develop and write operator training manuals and ISO procedures for injection molding lines, metalizers, coaters and inspection equipment.
    • Climb ladders on railway cars.
    • Act as SME for safety.
    • Maintain trainingrecords and LMS system.
    More train operator duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the train operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A train operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a train operator in Arizona may be lower than in Virginia, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level train operator. Additionally, a train operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average train operator salary

    $39,189yearly

    $18.84 hourly rate

    Entry-level train operator salary
    $27,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 20, 2026

    Average train operator salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$53,788$26
    2Virginia$53,505$26
    3New York$51,916$25
    4Connecticut$51,403$25
    5Minnesota$48,737$23
    6Kansas$45,241$22
    7Montana$44,878$22
    8Illinois$44,358$21
    9Colorado$43,801$21
    10Hawaii$43,792$21
    11Iowa$41,803$20
    12Texas$38,795$19
    13Tennessee$36,757$18
    14Florida$34,886$17
    15Georgia$34,719$17
    16Indiana$34,177$16
    17Idaho$33,804$16
    18Wisconsin$33,135$16
    19Arizona$32,525$16
    20Nevada$32,284$16

    Average train operator salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1American Water$58,799$28.277
    2DCP Midstream$57,285$27.54
    3ABB$56,034$26.9414
    4Jacobs Engineering Group$49,619$23.86
    5Avery Dennison$48,769$23.4513
    6UPS$47,961$23.063
    7Steris$47,887$23.023
    8Northrop Grumman$47,608$22.8916
    9Generac Holdings$45,799$22.027
    10Brady$43,965$21.14
    11Belcan$43,939$21.123
    12ALN Medical Management, LLC$43,444$20.89
    13CGB Enterprises$43,416$20.876
    14Lockheed Martin$42,798$20.5844
    15ADM$42,495$20.4315
    16Con Edison$42,245$20.311
    17RRD$41,479$19.9440
    18Epcor Utilities, Inc.$41,398$19.902
    19Genesis Financial Solutions, Inc.$41,397$19.902
    20Alstom$41,367$19.899
  4. Writing a train operator job description

    A good train operator job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a train operator job description:

    Train operator job description example

    The Base Salary for this role is $75,000 - $85,000. This position is eligible for additional compensation and comprehensive benefits.

    Essential Job Functions

    ● Ensures the entire Operations Department has been trained and developed according to PosiGen's current safety standards, OSHA Regulations, and any and all other safety guidelines.
    ● Evaluates individuals, training, and development programs at the job site and in a classroom-style environment.
    ● Actively contributes in the creation of eLearning and blended learning programs, including the production of training materials for in-house courses.
    ● Coordinate with external vendors to facilitate and implement new training on newly emerging
    projects/technologies.
    ● Completes individual behavior analysis and assessments

    This position requires 50% or more travel. Coverage area includes, but is not limited to, New Jersey, Connecticut, Philadelphia, and Massachusetts, with occasional travel to Louisiana and Mississippi.

    Education/Experience

    ● 2+ years direct experience in solar installations
    ● Knowledge of best practices and best in class safety culture mentality
    ● Expert facilitator skilled in engaging audiences via presentation and/or learning activities
    ● Proficient in the use of computer systems (this position will leverage training related technologies including SAP Litmos and Google-Suite)
    ● BS/BA degree in training/development or industry related field preferred but not required
    ● Experience in training and development preferred but not required


    Core Competencies


    ● Commitment to Excellence – Identify what needs to be accomplished and take action to achieve a standard of excellence beyond job expectations
    ● Corporate Values – Understand, embrace, and integrate PosiGen's corporate values into everyday duties and responsibilities
    ● Customer Service - Identify and respond to current and future needs by providing excellent service to internal customers (employees)
    ● Safety and Security – Promote a safe work environment for employees
    ● Teamwork – Resourceful team player that builds, strengthens, and maintains collaborative relationships with others inside or outside the organization

    PosiGen is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Individuals who require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to participate in the search process should notify the Office of Human Resources.

    #indss

  5. Post your job

    To find the right train operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with train operators they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit train operators who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your train operator job on Zippia to find and recruit train operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting train operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 train operator

    Once you've decided on a perfect train operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new train operator. 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.)
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How much does it cost to hire a train operator?

Hiring a train operator comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting train operators involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of train operator recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $39,189 per year for a train operator, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for train operators in the US typically range between $12 and $26 an hour.

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