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Signal and Track Switch Repairer

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What Does it Take to Be a Signal and Track Switch Repairer?

Signal & Track Switch Repairer Definition Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.

Life As a Signal & Track Switch Repairer

  • Clean lenses of lamps with cloths and solvents.
  • Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems.
  • Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts.
  • Record and report information about mileage or track inspected, repairs performed, and equipment requiring replacement.
  • Test air lines and air cylinders on pneumatically operated gates.
  • Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed.

Signal & Track Switch Repairer Required Skills

Signal and Track Switch Repairers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Equipment Selection: Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • Rail Signal Mechanic
  • Signal and Communications Maintainer
  • Third Rail Installer
  • Electrician
  • Signal Technician

Job Outlook for Signal and Track Switch Repairers

There were about 10,000 jobs for Signal and Track Switch Repairer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Signal and Track Switch Repairer by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,000 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Signal & Track Switch Repairer are Utah, Nebraska, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Signal & Track Switch Repairer Make?

The average yearly salary of a Signal & Track Switch Repairer ranges between $36,680 and $91,760.

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Signal and Track Switch Repairers who work in North Dakota, California, or Illinois, make the highest salaries.

How much do Signal and Track Switch Repairers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
California $83,960
Colorado $54,250
Florida $56,380
Georgia $59,920
Illinois $76,110
Indiana $71,480
Kansas $61,570
Kentucky $73,710
Massachusetts $71,290
Michigan $65,610
Minnesota $39,660
Missouri $58,990
Nebraska $63,370
New Jersey $69,930
North Carolina $69,910
North Dakota $79,510
Oklahoma $58,310
Oregon $72,870
Pennsylvania $69,770
Tennessee $62,370
Texas $68,100
Virginia $74,860
Washington $74,550
Wisconsin $66,260

Tools & Technologies Used by Signal and Track Switch Repairers

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Signal and Track Switch Repairers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Maintenance management software

How to Become a Signal & Track Switch Repairer

What kind of Signal and Track Switch Repairer requirements are there?

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What work experience do I need to become a Signal & Track Switch Repairer?

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Who Employs Signal and Track Switch Repairers?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Signal and Track Switch Repairers employed by various industries.

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those who work as a Signal and Track Switch Repairer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Fran Hogan via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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