Railroad and Railway Transportation
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the operation of railroads and other aspects of the railway industry, including railroad and railyard service. Includes instruction in railway culture, operating skills, General Code of Operation rules, conductor service, signal systems, switching, transportation of hazardous materials, safety, and railway telecommunications systems.
- Schools offering
- 2
- Annual completions
- 4
- Typical degree level
- Associate's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $67k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the operation of railroads and other aspects of the railway industry, including railroad and railyard service. Includes instruction in railway culture, operating skills, General Code of Operation rules, conductor service, signal systems, switching, transportation of hazardous materials, safety, and railway telecommunications systems.
Examples of specialized tracks: Railway Operations, Railroad Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, Brakeman/Brakewoman, Railway Dispatcher, Yardmaster, Railroad Maintenance of Way Welding.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railroad conductors and yardmasters | $74k | +1.1% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Locomotive engineers | $77k | +0.7% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers | $65k | +1.0% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Subway and streetcar operators | $85k | +3.4% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers | $58k | +0.3% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Rail transportation workers, all other | $49k | +3.9% | High school diploma or equivalent |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$67k
Top colleges for Railroad and Railway Transportation
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| San Diego City College | San Diego, CA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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