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Signal and Track Switch Repairers

Drives freight and passenger trains.

Typical education to startHigh school diploma or equivalent
Job outlook2025–2035: +2%
Median pay$92,460 a year (2025)
Interest codeRC Realistic, Conventional

Read the full guide

Locomotive engineers operate trains, watch signals and track conditions, and work with conductors to move freight and passengers safely. Most start as conductors and train with the railroad. Schedules are often on call.

Open the locomotive engineer guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

  • Woodworking · Career and Technical

    Builds tools and machines, which this job uses.

  • Computer Science Principles · Computer Science

    Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.

  • English 10 · English

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

  • Geometry · Math

    Builds math, which this job uses.

  • Physics · Science

    Builds math, which this job uses.

  • Government and Economics · Social Studies

    Builds law and government, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Signal and Track Switch Repairers on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.