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$10

$32

$58

How much do railroad safety jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for railroad safety in the United States is $32.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.48 and $39.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Railroad Safety Inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Railroad Safety Inspector, you need expertise in railroad operations, safety regulations, and inspection procedures, typically supported by relevant experience or training in transportation or engineering. Familiarity with inspection tools, data recording systems, and federal safety standards like those from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is essential. Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are soft skills that set top inspectors apart. These skills ensure compliance, prevent accidents, and uphold the safety and reliability of railroad operations.

What is the difference between Railroad Safety vs Railroad Conductors?

AspectRailroad SafetyRailroad Conductors
Required CertificationsOSHA safety training, industry-specific safety certificationsConductor certification, safety training
Work EnvironmentSafety offices, on-site safety inspections, train yardsOn trains, stations, and trackside
Employer & Industry UsageRailroad safety departments, regulatory agenciesRailroad companies, train operations

Railroad Safety professionals focus on ensuring safety protocols, conducting inspections, and preventing accidents within the railroad industry. Railroad Conductors operate trains, coordinate schedules, and ensure passenger and freight safety during transit. While both roles emphasize safety, Railroad Safety specialists concentrate on safety management and compliance, whereas Conductors are directly involved in train operations and passenger safety.

What are some of the common challenges faced by professionals working in railroad safety roles?

Professionals in railroad safety often encounter challenges such as ensuring compliance with evolving federal and state regulations, performing thorough inspections under tight schedules, and responding efficiently to safety incidents or emergencies. Collaboration with diverse teams—including engineers, operations staff, and government inspectors—is essential to address safety concerns and implement corrective actions. Adapting to new technologies and safety protocols, while fostering a culture of safety among all personnel, is also a key aspect of the role.

What is railroad safety and why is it important?

Railroad safety refers to the set of practices, regulations, and technologies designed to prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities on and around railways. It includes measures for ensuring the safe operation of trains, the maintenance of tracks and equipment, and the protection of workers and the public. Railroad safety is crucial because rail systems transport millions of passengers and tons of freight daily, and any incident can have serious consequences. Continuous improvement in safety reduces risks, protects lives, and ensures the reliable operation of the rail network.
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Railroad Safety jobs near you
Infographic showing various Railroad Safety job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,344 per year, or $32.4 per hour.
Supervisory Railroad Safety Specialist (Hazmat)

Supervisory Railroad Safety Specialist (Hazmat)

Federal Railroad Administration

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$127K/yr

Other

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

 The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) administers and enforces Federal safety and health laws and regulations that apply to the railroad industry and its ancillary components. The of this position serves as the Deputy Staff Director for the Office of Railroad Safety (RRS) Hazardous Materials (HIM) Division. The Office of Safety promotes and regulates safety throughout the Nation's railroad industry.

Qualifications:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications. 

To be qualified for a Railroad Safety Inspector, the Qualifications Standards states you MUST have demonstrated knowledge in the following areas:

  • Railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment.
  • General safety and health principles and practices applicabe to the railroad industry.
  • Railroad accident investigation tehcniques.
  • Skill in written and oral communication.
  • Practical knowledge of the typical reactions of different hazardous commodities to various environmental conditions and of safe procedures for containing or controlling fires, leaks, or explosions of these materials.
  • Knowledge of the construction, testing, and retesting of containers used to ship hazardous materials by rail; AND
  • Knowledge of Federal regulations and standards governing the shipment of hazardous materials by rail, including containerization, loading, handling, documentation, and placarding.

To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:

  • Experience applying principles, procedures, regulations/policies to manage a program related to the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail.
  • Experience persuading others, building consensus, and gaining cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals to improve the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail.
  • Experience leading, motivating, supervising and/or managing a workforce to promote a uniform understanding and accomplish organizational goals.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  1. Hazardous Materials- Knowledge of hazardous materials and waste and their uses, interactions, dangers, production, handling, storge, and disposal.
  2. Leadership- Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadershp styles to a variety of situations.
  3. Planning and Evaluating- Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitor progress and evaluates outcomes.
  4. Oral Communication- Expresses information (for example, ideas, or facts) to individuals or groups efffectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive). 

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:Employment Type: OTHER

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