Rail Car Repairer Salary in Illinois (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$84,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $67,530
State Rank
#7 of 40
1,850 employed here

How much does a Rail Car Repairer make in Illinois?

A Rail Car Repairer working in Illinois earns a median salary of $84,570 per year, or about $40.66 per hour. That is 25% above the national median of $67,530 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $49,820 while the top 10% make $96,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,220 and $94,530 a year.

Rail Car Repairer salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,820$23.95
25th percentile (early career)$66,220$31.84
50th percentile (median)$84,570$40.66
75th percentile (experienced)$94,530$45.45
90th percentile (top earners)$96,170$46.24

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 7th 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 Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($84,570) 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 Illinois?
The median Rail Car Repairer salary in Illinois is $84,570 per year, or about $40.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,820 at the entry level to $96,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Rail Car Repairers about 25% more than the national median of $67,530. Illinois ranks 7th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Rail Car Repairers?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $84,570 a year. About 1,850 Rail Car Repairers are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.