Employment in most railroad transportation occupations is expected to grow about as fast as average through the year 2018. Opportunities are expected to be good for qualified applicants, in large part because of the number of workers expected to retire or leave these occupations through 2018.
Employment is expected to increase by 9 percent from 2008 through 2018, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. This will largely be the result of expected increases in the demand for freight and passenger rail transportation as fuel costs increase and rail becomes a cheaper alternative to trucks and automobiles. Despite the slowdown in the economy, in the long term freight transportation should continue to expand as global trade expands and rail freight benefits from the shipment of more goods. However, advances such as remote control locomotive technology, discussed previously, and positive train control technology, which allows for the electronic monitoring of mechanical difficulties and track problems, will allow railroads to improve productivity and consolidate duties. To some extent, this will offset the need for new employees in occupations not essential for railroad operations.
Although demand for passenger rail service is anticipated to increase with the growing population, as is demand for public transit authorities, employment growth for workers in passenger rail will be slow because the addition of new service will be limited by the lack of track, which is not expected to increase by any great extent over the 2008–18 period. Employment of subway and streetcar operators is expected to increase modestly because more commuter and light-rail transportation systems are being proposed around the country.
A law recently passed by the U.S. Congress may have a positive impact on employment in rail transportation occupations. The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 increases the number of hours that train crews must rest between shifts. It also requires more safety improvements to railroad crossings. This law may generate more jobs for engineers and conductors as well as signal operators.
Opportunities for rail transportation workers will be good for workers who meet basic qualifications, because a large number of older workers are expected to retire over the next decade, particularly at freight railroads. Prospects will be best for those positions that are also expected to see growth, like locomotive engineers and conductors.
Entry-level occupations such as brake operator and conductor should be plentiful for applicants with clean drug and criminal records. Opportunities for long-distance train crews are also expected to be good because many of those working in the yards prefer not to travel long distances. Subway and streetcar operators will have the best opportunities in cities where the construction of commuter or light-rail transit systems is underway.
Rail transportation workers held 130,500 jobs in 2008. Employment was distributed as follows:
| Locomotive engineers and operators |
51,100 |
| Railroad conductors and yardmasters |
41,300 |
| Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators |
25,600 |
| Subway and streetcar operators |
7,700 |
| Rail transportation workers, all other |
4,800 |
Most rail transportation workers were employed in the rail transportation industry or in support activities for the industry. Rail transportation and rail transportation support activities made up 87 percent jobs in 2008. The rest worked primarily for local governments that operate subway or streetcar systems.
Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience maybe helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer could benefit from experience in installing dry wall, but an inexperienced person could learn the job fairly easily.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job related course work. In some cases, you may need an associate's or bachelor's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
Examples
Drywall installers, fire inspectors, flight attendants, pharmacy technicians, retail salespersons, and bank tellers.
In these occupations you can often use your knowledge and skills to help others.
[Back to Top]
To obtain information on employment opportunities, contact either the employment offices of railroads and rail transit systems or State employment service offices.
General information about the rail transportation industry is available from:
- Association of American Railroads, 425 3rd St. SW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20024. Internet: http://www.aar.org
General information about career opportunities in passenger transportation is available from:
- National Railroad Passenger Corporation, 60 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., 4th floor, Washington, DC 20002. Internet: http://www.amtrak.com
General information on career opportunities as a locomotive engineer is available from:
- Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, 1370 Ontario St. Mezzanine, Cleveland, OH 44113. Internet: http://www.ble.org
General information on career opportunities as a conductor, yardmaster, or brake operator is available from:
- United Transportation Union, 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107. Internet: http://www.utu.org
Sources: O*Net data version 12.0
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Department of Labor
[Back to Top]