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Rail Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

RailPros

Transportation Planner

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $100K/yr

This role is ideal for a planner who wants to grow in railroad planning and infrastructure programs, contribute to federal/state grant pursuits, and support rail/transit capital planning and ...

RailPros

Transportation Planner

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$70K - $84K/yr

This role is ideal for a planner who wants to grow in railroad planning and infrastructure programs, contribute to federal/state grant pursuits, and support rail/transit capital planning and ...

RailPros

Transportation Planner

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$70K - $84K/yr

This role is ideal for a planner who wants to grow in railroad planning and infrastructure programs, contribute to federal/state grant pursuits, and support rail/transit capital planning and ...

Dart

$64K - $107K/yr

Provides maintenance planning, scheduling, coordination, and work control support for Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) and fleet operations. Responsible for developing and maintaining preventive and ...

VHB

Transit and Rail Intern

Boston, MA · On-site

$20/hr

We provide all phases of transit and rail planning, engineering, and operations analysis to help bring these projects to life. Responsibilities * Collaborate with numerous VHB staff, clients, and ...

VHB

Transit and Rail Intern

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$20/hr

We provide all phases of transit and rail planning, engineering, and operations analysis to help bring these projects to life. Responsibilities * Collaborate with numerous VHB staff, clients, and ...

VHB

Transit and Rail Intern

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$20/hr

We provide all phases of transit and rail planning, engineering, and operations analysis to help bring these projects to life. Responsibilities * Collaborate with numerous VHB staff, clients, and ...

VHB

Transit and Rail Intern

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$20/hr

We provide all phases of transit and rail planning, engineering, and operations analysis to help bring these projects to life. Responsibilities * Collaborate with numerous VHB staff, clients, and ...

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All JobsRail Planner Jobs

Rail Planner information

See salary details

$23.5K

$63.1K

$133.5K

How much do rail planner jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for rail planner in the United States is $63,120.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,000.00 and $75,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Rail Planner typically collaborate with other departments to develop efficient transportation schedules?

Rail Planners work closely with operations teams, dispatchers, and maintenance staff to create and adjust train schedules that optimize capacity and minimize delays. They also coordinate with customer service and logistics departments to ensure that schedules align with passenger needs and freight requirements. Regular meetings and real-time communication are essential for managing disruptions, implementing changes, and maintaining safety standards. This collaborative approach helps ensure that services run smoothly and efficiently across the rail network.

What does a rail planner do?

A rail planner is responsible for designing, coordinating, and optimizing train schedules and routes to ensure efficient and safe railway operations. They analyze passenger demand, network capacity, and logistical factors to create timetables that meet service requirements. Rail planners also collaborate with engineers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to plan rail infrastructure projects and improvements. Their work helps enhance transportation efficiency, reduce delays, and improve the overall passenger experience.

What is the difference between Rail Planner vs Rail Scheduler?

AspectRail PlannerRail Scheduler
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in transportation, logistics, or related fieldSimilar credentials, often with logistics or transportation background
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, coordinating schedules and planning routesOffice or field-based, focusing on detailed scheduling tasks
Industry UsageUsed by rail companies for strategic planningUsed for operational scheduling and timetable adjustments
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared due to overlapping responsibilities in rail operationsRelated but more focused on day-to-day scheduling

The main difference between a Rail Planner and a Rail Scheduler lies in their scope. Rail Planners focus on strategic, long-term planning of rail routes and network optimization, while Rail Schedulers handle detailed, daily scheduling tasks to ensure smooth operations. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, but their responsibilities differ in scale and focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Rail Planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rail Planner, you need strong analytical abilities, transportation planning knowledge, and typically a degree in urban planning, civil engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with GIS software, transportation modeling tools, and project management systems is essential. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills help you coordinate with stakeholders and navigate complex planning challenges. These skills are vital for developing efficient, safe, and sustainable rail transport solutions that meet community and regulatory requirements.
More about Rail Planner jobs
What states have the most Rail Planner jobs? States with the most job openings for Rail Planner jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Rail Planner jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Rail Planner jobs are:
Rail Planner jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rail Planner job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,120 per year, or $30.3 per hour.

Rail Planning, Emerging Talent Intern (Fall)

MABSTOA

New York, NY

Internship

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Department:                      Operations Planning
Location:                           2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
Position Title:                    Rail Planning, Emerging Talent Intern
Hourly Rate:                     $21.00 (Graduate)
 
All internship positions are onsite and require regular, in-person attendance at the designated work location.
 
 
OVERVIEW OF DEPARTMENT:
The Division of Operations Planning (OP) is responsible for designing efficient and effective subway and bus service for New York City Transit. The Rail Planning unit monitors and measures subway ridership trends and operational performance and develops strategies for operating the best possible service in line with the needs of our riders, operational, maintenance, and construction requirements, and available resources.
 
The Rail Planning Intern will assist with subway service planning tasks, including developing permanent or temporary service plans and assisting with their implementation; preparing analyses of ridership and rail operations data; and/or evaluating strategies for accommodating necessary construction and maintenance work. Tasks can cover the full range of an operations analysis, from data collection to statistical analysis to review of operational options and development of recommendations. While some of the data collection will involve the use of available systems resources, some may require directly observing train operations.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Analyze subway running times in preparation for timetable revisions.
  • Prepare estimates of ridership for subway replacement shuttle buses.
  • Develop temporary service changes in coordination with other OP and NYCT units.
  • Prepare minutes for meetings between the Rail Planning Unit and other departments across the MTA.
  • Review customer-facing materials for the accuracy of service information.
  • Assist with the implementation of temporary service changes and conduct observations to identify potential improvements.
  • Provide customer assistance at the start of major service changes.
  • Monitor line performance following the implementation of service changes and/or timetable revisions and summarize analytical results for sharing with other units.
PROJECTS:

The intern will assist the Rail Planning Unit in the course of its work, as described above. Expected deliverables will include:

  • Spreadsheet-based analyses, such as a summary of the ridership requirements for a subway replacement shuttle bus.
  • Memos or other written summaries, such as an evaluation of two different service proposals and their benefits and drawbacks.
  • Summaries or presentations that can be shared with other departments, such as an overview of running time changes on a given subway line.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is a must.
  • The candidate should possess organizational, analytical and communication skills. 
  • The candidate should be able to work well under pressure and prioritize tasks effectively.
  • The candidate should have a keen eye for detail and be able to work independently while being an active team player.
 
REQUIRED EDUCATION:
  • Matriculated in a graduate program in good standing with at least 2.8 GPA
  • Major(s) Preferred: City & Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Urban Studies, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
 
 All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. Students’ transcript must be submitted.
 
Equal Employment Opportunity
MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.