Also called: Rail Car Maintainer, Transit Rail Mechanic
Repairs and maintains light rail, streetcar, and subway cars.
Rail vehicle techs work in a maintenance barn, inspecting brakes and doors, troubleshooting electrical systems with laptops, and replacing wheels on a lift.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. Technical school or transit apprenticeship.
Ways in: Apprenticeship, Trade school. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Electrical Technology, Diesel/Electric Technology.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 49-3043: Average (3% to 4%).
Low risk for 10 years. Onboard diagnostics speed troubleshooting; repairing rail cars by hand stays human.
Classes: Electronics, Auto tech CTE, Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 49-3043.
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