Rail Car Repairers Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Rail Car Repairers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV make a median of $77,910 a year, or about $37.46 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $101K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $71,556 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 44.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About rail car repairers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level rail car repairers (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $101K or more - a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Rail Car Repairers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $98K | +49% | 620 |
| Oregon | $85K | +30% | 220 |
| New York | $85K | +30% | 1,560 |
| Maryland | $85K | +29% | 490 |
| Wisconsin | $85K | +29% | 120 |
| Minnesota | $79K | +21% | 390 |
| Delaware | $77K | +18% | 70 |
| New Jersey | $77K | +17% | 380 |
| Utah | $75K | +15% | 80 |
| Illinois | $73K | +12% | 1,440 |
| Indiana | $73K | +11% | 340 |
| Florida | $67K | +2% | 500 |
| California | $67K | +2% | 650 |
| Nebraska | $66K | +1% | 610 |
| South Dakota | $66K | +0% | 80 |
Track rail car repairers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do rail car repairers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $77,910 a year - that works out to about $37.46 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,590, and experienced rail car repairers can clear $101,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,951/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 45.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a rail car repairers salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median rail car repairers salary is worth about $71,556 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do rail car repairers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.