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| Median Wage (USD, 2025) | Projected Job Openings (2025-2035) | Projected Growth (2025-2035) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Statistics | $81410 | 2200 | 0.7% |
| State Statistics | - | - | - |
| City Statistics | - | - | - |
Experience Requirements Overview
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education, Training and Experience
Required Level of Education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Related Work Experience: N.A.
On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Detailed Work Activities
- Monitor equipment gauges or displays to ensure proper operation.
- Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.
- Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
- Operate locomotives or other rail vehicles.
- Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Recognition
Relationships
Support
Independence
Tasks
- Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.
- Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.
- Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
- Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
- Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
- Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.
- Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.
- Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
- Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
- Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
- Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
- Check to ensure that documentation, such as procedure manuals or logbooks, are in the driver's cab and available for staff use.
- Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.
- Monitor train loading procedures to ensure that freight or rolling stock are loaded or unloaded without damage.
- Drive diesel-electric rail-detector cars to transport rail-flaw-detecting machines over tracks.
Work Styles
Innovation
A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.
Achievement Orientation
Intellectual Curiosity
Tolerance for Ambiguity
Initiative
Adaptability
Self-Confidence
Perseverance
Leadership Orientation
Humility
Sincerity
Empathy
Cooperation
Optimism
Social Orientation
Cautiousness
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Integrity
Stress Tolerance
Self-Control
Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.