CDCareer Decision

Rail Car Repairers Salary in IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Rail Car Repairers in IA have a median annual salary of $60,550, with 340 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $46,090 at the 10th percentile to $84,910 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$60,550

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$29.11

Employment

340

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$46,090
10th
$47,560
25th
$60,550
Median
$73,080
75th
$84,910
90th

Local compared with national

IA

$60,550

Median annual · 2025

United States

$67,530

Median annual · 2025

The IA median is 10.3% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $6,980).

Top skills

  1. 1.TroubleshootingImportance 4.0
  2. 2.RepairingImportance 4.0
  3. 3.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.8
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.3
  5. 5.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.3
  7. 7.Operation and ControlImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  9. 9.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.9
  11. 11.WritingImportance 2.9
  12. 12.MonitoringImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Disassembler software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • RailTech Software Solutions Rail 21 Management System
  • RailTech Software Systems Mars for the 21st Century
  • WheelShop Automation.com Wheel Shop Management Suite

Common tasks

  • Record conditions of cars, and repair and maintenance work performed or to be performed.
  • Inspect components such as bearings, seals, gaskets, wheels, and coupler assemblies to determine if repairs are needed.
  • Repair or replace defective or worn parts such as bearings, pistons, and gears, using hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and welding equipment.
  • Inspect the interior and exterior of rail cars coming into rail yards to identify defects and to determine the extent of wear and damage.
  • Remove locomotives, car mechanical units, or other components, using pneumatic hoists and jacks, pinch bars, hand tools, and cutting torches.
  • Test units for operability before and after repairs.
  • Adjust repaired or replaced units as needed to ensure proper operation.
  • Repair, fabricate, and install steel or wood fittings, using blueprints, shop sketches, and instruction manuals.
  • Perform scheduled maintenance, and clean units and components.
  • Examine car roofs for wear and damage, and repair defective sections, using roofing material, cement, nails, and waterproof paint.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Rail Car Repairers salary in other locations

Other occupations in IA