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Rail Maintenance Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Rail Maintenance information

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$12

$31

$56

How much do rail maintenance jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for rail maintenance in the United States is $31.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $38.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to get into rail maintenance?

To enter rail maintenance, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with technical training or apprenticeships in railway systems, electrical work, or mechanical repair. Relevant skills include knowledge of safety protocols, ability to operate specialized tools, and sometimes certifications such as OSHA or equipment-specific licenses. Prior experience in construction, manufacturing, or transportation can also be beneficial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a rail maintenance worker?

To thrive as a Rail Maintenance Worker, you need strong mechanical aptitude, knowledge of rail infrastructure, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent, sometimes supplemented by vocational training. Familiarity with specialized tools, safety systems, and certifications such as OSHA or track safety credentials is often required. Attention to detail, reliability, and teamwork are essential soft skills for performing inspections and repairs efficiently. These skills ensure the safe and continuous operation of rail systems, minimizing risks and service disruptions.

What is the difference between Rail Maintenance vs Track Inspector?

AspectRail MaintenanceTrack Inspector
CertificationsRailway safety certifications, equipment operation licensesTrack inspection certifications, safety training
Work EnvironmentMaintenance yards, trackside, on-site repairsTrackside, inspection vehicles, remote locations
Employer & Industry UsageRail companies, transit authoritiesRail companies, regulatory agencies

Rail Maintenance involves repairing and maintaining railway infrastructure and equipment, ensuring safety and operational efficiency. Track Inspectors focus on examining tracks for defects, safety hazards, and compliance. While both roles require safety certifications and work in similar environments, Rail Maintenance is more hands-on with repairs, whereas Track Inspectors primarily assess track conditions to prevent accidents.

What are some of the most common challenges faced by rail maintenance technicians, and how can they be addressed?

Rail maintenance technicians often encounter challenges such as working in harsh weather conditions, adhering to tight maintenance schedules, and ensuring safety standards are met on active railways. Addressing these challenges requires effective teamwork, ongoing safety training, and adaptability to rapidly changing situations. Many employers support technicians by providing comprehensive safety gear, regular skills development workshops, and clear communication channels to coordinate with train operators and other maintenance teams.

What is rail maintenance?

Rail maintenance refers to the ongoing inspection, repair, and upkeep of railway tracks, signals, and associated infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient train operations. This work includes tasks such as replacing worn rails, fixing track alignment, maintaining signaling systems, and clearing debris from tracks. Rail maintenance crews use specialized equipment and often work during off-peak hours to minimize disruptions to train schedules. Regular maintenance is crucial for preventing accidents, reducing delays, and extending the lifespan of railway assets.
More about Rail Maintenance jobs

What cities are hiring for Rail Maintenance jobs?

Cities with the most Rail Maintenance job openings:

What states have the most Rail Maintenance jobs?

States with the most job openings for Rail Maintenance jobs include:

Infographic showing various Rail Maintenance job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,662 per year, or $31.6 per hour.

Vice President, Vehicle Maintenance

Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago, IL

$185K - $205K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Chicago Transit Authority rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 36 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

646th of 846 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

SALARY

$185,000 - $205,000

POSITION SUMMARY

Plans, directs and coordinates the principal planning and operating functions of the Bus and Rail Maintenance operations, programs, activities and personnel. Balance the need to meet budget marks and improve ridership, while moving the organization toward a customer focus. Eliminate safety problems through increased security and minimization of service delays.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

           Oversees the, programs, procedures and objectives to ensure that high qualities of bus and rail maintenance services are provided in a safe, efficient and expeditious manner.  Oversees communication between the incident site, management and responding personnel during planned and unplanned service disruptions and equipment issues. 

           Establishes and executes programs to meet Authority objectives and develops an organization that will hold accountable and effectively administer the responsibilities and functions of Maintenance areas.

           Confers with and assists the Chief Transit Officer in formulating longer-term goals and objectives and in the administration of policies and programs. Performs duties of the Chief Transit Officer in the Chief Transit Officer's absence.

           Develops and administers a uniform concept of management ensuring that personnel within each of the divisions possess a comprehensive understanding of assigned responsibilities.

           Coordinates all bus and rail maintenance operations activities to insure peak service levels are met twice a day.

           Responsible for maintaining sufficient security levels in order to protect customers, employees and facilities.

           Meets and interfaces with the public and the media as well as various levels of management from other transit jurisdictions and representatives from various governmental agencies and develops and fosters relationships which will be beneficial to the Authority.

           Keeps Chief Transit Officer, Mechanical Officers and General Managers apprised of information and performance indicators relative to special projects, plans and programs as assigned. 

           Keeps abreast of new developments and advancements within the areas of Bus and Rail Maintenance.

           Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff.  Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval. 

           Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

           Mechanical Officer - Bus

           Mechanical Officer - Rail

           Senior Manager, Administration

           Executive Assistant

CHALLENGES

           Maintaining required service and maintenance levels under adverse conditions; i.e. weather, construction and staffing.

           Improving operation efficiencies in all areas by providing areas with necessary tools and skills to keep updated.

           Minimizing service delays, especially during unforeseen incidents or events.

           Keeping abreast of new developments and advancements within the field of Vehicle Maintenance.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

           Bachelor's degree, plus ten (10) years of experience implementing vehicle maintenance programs, of which five (5) years is in a supervisory or management role, of an equivalent combination of education and experience.

           Possess extensive managerial experience at the executive level.

           Must maintain Rail Safety and Incident Commander cards.

           Must possess valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

           Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, manual dexterity, and fingering for working with computer keyboards.

           Must be capable of walking elevated structures and rail yards.

           Must be able to work around energized 600 volt DC electrical current, moving trains and equipment.

           Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

           Detailed knowledge of principles, policies, and practices of vehicle maintenance and related programs.

           Detailed knowledge of the operations, services, and activities of comprehensive maintenance, installation, and repair programs.

           Detailed knowledge of pertinent local, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.

           Detailed knowledge of the methods and practices in budget planning and administration.

           Detailed knowledge of the principles of team building, motivation, delegation, and conflict resolution.

           Detailed knowledge of the methods and principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

           Strong leadership skills.

           Strong organizational skills.

           Strong written and oral communications skills for directing and supervising the work of managerial, professional, technical and clerical staff.

           Strong organization, financial, presentation and operational skills.

           Ability to manage and think on a large scale over multiple projects.

           Ability to drive results by identifying and resolving significant problems within scope of responsibility

           Ability to deal professionally, courteously, and tactfully with the public and coworkers.

           Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of Authority and departmental goals.

           Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

WORKING CONDITIONS

           General office environment.

           Required to travel to various CTA, vendor, and transit property locations.

           Subject to normal garage/shop hazards such as noise, dust, grease, moving vehicles, etc., when visiting field locations.

           Subject to weather conditions when visiting field locations.

           This position is considered a "C-List" position under the "Revolving Door" prohibition within the State Officials and Employees Act (5 ILCS 430/5-45), which contains a number of post-employment restrictions CTA employees in C-list designated positions must follow. Among other requirements listed in this statute, CTA employees in C-list designated positions are required to follow State notification procedures to the Office of the Executive Inspector General prior to acceptance of any applicable non-State employment or may be fined significant penalties.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

           Standard office equipment.

           Personal computer and related software.


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