Rail Car Repairer Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Rail Car Repairers in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$68,370
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $67,530
State Rank
#15 of 40
700 employed here

How much does a Rail Car Repairer make in California?

A Rail Car Repairer working in California earns a median salary of $68,370 per year, or about $32.87 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $67,530 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $49,910 while the top 10% make $115,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,190 and $86,440 a year.

Rail Car Repairer salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,910$24.00
25th percentile (early career)$64,190$30.86
50th percentile (median)$68,370$32.87
75th percentile (experienced)$86,440$41.56
90th percentile (top earners)$115,840$55.69

How California compares

California ranks 15th out of 40 states and territories for Rail Car Repairer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$108,680
2Maryland$89,430
3Oregon$87,470
4Colorado$86,630
5Idaho$85,420

Working as a Rail Car Repairer in California

Nationally, about 21,000 people work as Rail Car Repairers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($68,370) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Rail Car Repairer make in California?
The median Rail Car Repairer salary in California is $68,370 per year, or about $32.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,910 at the entry level to $115,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Rail Car Repairers about 1% more than the national median of $67,530. California ranks 15th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Rail Car Repairers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $68,370 a year. About 700 Rail Car Repairers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Rail Car Repairer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.