Average salary, compensation, and wages for Rail transportation occupations in the United States


Median hourly earnings of rail transportation occupations in 2002 were relatively high, as indicated by the following tabulation:

Locomotive engineers and locomotive firers $23.26
Subway and streetcar operators and all other rail transportation workers 21.48
Railroad conductors and yardmasters 21.39
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators 20.93

Most railroad workers are paid according to miles traveled or hours worked, whichever leads to higher earnings. Full-time employees have steadier work, more regular hours, increased opportunities for overtime work, and higher earnings than do those assigned to the extra board.
Almost three-quarters of railroad transportation workers are members of unions. Many different railroad unions represent various crafts on the railroads. Most railroad engineers are members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, while most other railroad transportation workers are members of the United Transportation Union. Many subway operators are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union, while others belong to the Transport Workers Union of North America.




More information on Rail transportation occupations from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of Rail transportation occupations occupation
Number of Rail transportation occupations in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for Rail transportation occupations
Working conditions for Rail transportation occupations
Significant points for Rail transportation occupations
Training requirements for Rail transportation occupations




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