Repairs the huge diesel-electric locomotives and rail cars that move freight and passengers.
You climb into the engine room of a 4,400-horsepower locomotive, replace a fuel injector, and test its traction motors.
Strong railroad benefits and pension.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. Railroad training program; diesel or electrical coursework helps.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Trade school. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Diesel Technology.
Growing slowly. No separate BLS projection for this specialty; rating is an estimate based on industry trends.
Low risk for 10 years. Locomotive data predicts failures, but repairs on giant engines in rail shops stay hands-on.
Classes: Diesel or auto CTE, Physics, Electrical CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 49-3043.
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