10 of the Most Popular Types of Rail Engineer Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Rail Engineer jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Rail Engineer Jobs

• Rail Track Engineer

  Salary range: $90,000 - $129,500

  Rail Track Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Rail Track Engineer jobs pay between $90,000 (25th percentile) and $129,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Rail Track Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Railroad Locomotive Engineer Contract

  Salary range: $45,000 - $57,500

  Railroad Locomotive Engineer Contract is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Railroad Locomotive Engineer Contract jobs pay between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $57,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Railroad Locomotive Engineer Contract job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Railway Track Engineer

  Salary range: $90,000 - $129,500

  Railway Track Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Railway Track Engineer jobs pay between $90,000 (25th percentile) and $129,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Railway Track Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Locomotive Engineer

  Salary range: $45,000 - $57,500

  Locomotive engineers, also known as train conductors, operate trains on railroads. In this role, you oversee operations for trains that transport freight or passengers. Some locomotive engineers work in a station or rail yard where they supervise the coupling of train cars. Before each trip, a train conductor inspects the train and plans the timing of their journey. Your responsibilities include communicating with control centers along the route to ensure the safety of the train and to monitor updates about track conditions. Locomotive engineers also document any problems that arise concerning the state of the train or tracks.

• Railway Electrical Engineer

  Salary range: $83,000 - $132,000

  Railway Electrical Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Railway Electrical Engineer jobs pay between $83,000 (25th percentile) and $132,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Railway Electrical Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Railway Mechanical Engineer

  Salary range: $81,500 - $126,500

  Railway Mechanical Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Railway Mechanical Engineer jobs pay between $81,500 (25th percentile) and $126,500 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Railway Mechanical Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Railway Signal Engineer

  Salary range: $80,000 - $108,000

  Railway Signal Engineer is a typical job search query Most salaries for Railway Signal Engineer jobs pay between $80,000 (25th percentile) and $108,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Railway Signal Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Railroad Switching

  Salary range: $42,000 - $46,500

  Railroad Switching is a typical job search query Most salaries for Railroad Switching jobs pay between $42,000 (25th percentile) and $46,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Railroad Switching job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Railroad Engineer

  Salary range: $34,000 - $59,000

  A railroad engineer drives trains along routes to deliver passengers or cargo to different destinations. As a locomotive engineer, your job duties include controlling the speed of the train to account for weather and track conditions, monitoring controls and equipment, maintaining train inspection logs, communicating with other railroad employees in person and over the radio, managing time to keep trains on schedule, and responding appropriately to emergency situations. You must be able to think logically and make quick decisions. You also need strong time management and communication skills to work as a railroad engineer.

• Railroad Conductor

  Salary range: $45,000 - $59,000

  As a railroad conductor, your job is to direct train and passenger activities, coordinate vehicle movement, and ensure everything runs on schedule. You may need to lead passengers on and off the train, ensure all freight is attached, oversee the loading and unloading of baggage, and handle any special cargo needs. Railroad conductors often work closely with yardmasters to ensure the entire train network continues to function safely and to oversee the jobs of the rest of the crew. Railroad conductors should not be confused with locomotive engineers, who operate the train under the conductor's guidance. Railroad conductors must be able to work irregular hours as well as on nights, holidays, and weekends.