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Salary comparison

Signal and Track Switch Repairers vs. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: Who Earns More?

Signal and Track Switch Repairers out-earn Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics by $42K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Signal and Track Switch Repairers land at $92,460 and Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics at $50,620. The education gap is real: signal and track switch repairer programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while automotive service technicians and mechanic programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Signal and Track Switch Repairers is Massachusetts ($126,440); for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics it's District of Columbia ($68,660).

Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Median salary
$92,460
$50,620
Hourly rate
$44.45/hr
$24.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$62,610
$34,660
Senior level (90th %)
$119,550
$81,790
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
8,720
704,640
Job growth (10-year)
1.7%
4.2%
Category
Repair & Maintenance
Repair & Maintenance
Top-paying state
Massachusetts
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Signal and Track Switch Repairers median pay.

State
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Massachusetts
$126,440
$60,760
Washington
$121,710
$57,270
Minnesota
$96,780
$58,390
Arizona
$96,460
$49,570
Virginia
$95,620
$59,330
Illinois
$95,610
$49,170
New York
$94,530
$54,120
Michigan
$93,060
$54,120
Indiana
$92,200
$49,360
Missouri
$86,300
$49,160
Wisconsin
$85,440
$54,350
California
$84,670
$64,980
Colorado
$83,930
$61,280
New Jersey
$82,990
$56,610
Tennessee
$79,730
$50,290

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Signal and Track Switch Repairers or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?

Signal and Track Switch Repairers earn more nationally. The median is $92,460 for Signal and Track Switch Repairers versus $50,620 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, a difference of $42K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Signal and Track Switch Repairers or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has the better 10-year outlook at 4.2% projected growth, compared to 1.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Signal and Track Switch Repairers or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?

Signal and Track Switch Repairers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Signal and Track Switch Repairers get paid the most?

Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Signal and Track Switch Repairers at $126,440/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Signal and Track Switch Repairers vs. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Signal and Track Switch Repairers earn $126,440 vs. $60,760 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Signal and Track Switch Repairers salary breakdownView →Full Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary breakdownView →Best cities for Signal and Track Switch Repairers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics by take-home payExplore →How to become a signal and track switch repairersGuide →How to become a automotive service technicians and mechanicsGuide →