Rail Car Repairers vs. Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: Who Earns More?
Rail Car Repairers out-earn Maintenance and Repair Workers, General by $18K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Rail Car Repairers land at $67,530 and Maintenance and Repair Workers, General at $49,590. The education gap is real: rail car repairer programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while maintenance and repair workers, general programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Rail Car Repairers is Massachusetts ($108,680); for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General it's District of Columbia ($60,310).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Rail Car Repairers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Rail Car Repairers or Maintenance and Repair Workers, General?
Rail Car Repairers earn more nationally. The median is $67,530 for Rail Car Repairers versus $49,590 for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General, a difference of $18K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Rail Car Repairers or Maintenance and Repair Workers, General?
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General has the better 10-year outlook at 3.8% projected growth, compared to 2.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Rail Car Repairers or Maintenance and Repair Workers, General?
Rail Car Repairers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Maintenance and Repair Workers, General requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Rail Car Repairers get paid the most?
Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Rail Car Repairers at $108,680/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Rail Car Repairers vs. Maintenance and Repair Workers, General pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Rail Car Repairers earn $108,680 vs. $58,320 for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.