Occupation · SOC 53-4099
Rail Transportation Workers, All Other
All rail transportation workers not listed separately.
Median wage
$49,330
$34,690–$82,620
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
1,520
Job Zone —
Core skills
Active ListeningMonitoringSpeakingOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
English LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanical
Technology & tools
Web page creation and editing softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.Monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.Observe tracks to detect obstructions.Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.Regulate vehicle speed and the time spent at each stop to maintain schedules.Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Cargo weight and distribution basics — identify and apply under direct supervisor guidance during initial loading operations at a rail or air freight facility.Safety procedures for cargo handling — follow established protocols under close supervision on an active loading dock or ramp area.Ground crew instructions — receive and execute verbal directions from a lead worker during routine cargo loading or unloading tasks.Center-of-gravity concepts — recognize and describe fundamental principles with instructor support when reviewing load plans for standard cargo types.Basic cargo orientation and quantity — verify counts and confirm placement under direct oversight during supervised freight staging exercises.Spreadsheet and office suite software — enter basic cargo data into pre-built templates under guidance from an experienced operator.Active listening skills — demonstrate attentiveness and confirm understanding of safety briefings and task assignments in a supervised transport environment.Mechanical equipment operation — operate standard cargo-handling tools and ground support equipment following step-by-step instructions on a training shift.Load documentation — read and interpret standard cargo manifests and waybills with assistance from a senior crew member.Personal protective equipment and site rules — apply required safety standards consistently during all entry-level cargo handling assignments.
developing
Cargo quantity and orientation calculations — determine and record load figures with reduced oversight during routine freight operations at a transportation hub.Aircraft or rail vehicle center of gravity — compute basic balance figures using standard load tables and verify results against acceptable limits on familiar cargo types.Ground crew coordination — direct small teams in loading, unloading, and securing cargo in accordance with pre-approved load plans during standard shifts.Space utilization in cargo holds — distribute freight to maximize available capacity while maintaining weight limits on routine consignments.New employee orientation — assist in demonstrating safety procedures and equipment operation to recently hired crew members under the oversight of a senior trainer.Operations monitoring — track ongoing loading activities and identify emerging discrepancies against the load plan in a fast-paced freight environment.Electronic mail and database software — prepare and transmit routine load reports and update cargo records using facility information systems.Critical thinking in load planning — evaluate standard cargo configurations and recommend adjustments when initial plans fall outside acceptable parameters.Customer and personal service communication — relay accurate cargo status information to internal stakeholders and external agents in a professional manner.Reading comprehension of technical documents — interpret weight-and-balance manuals, regulatory guidelines, and equipment checklists independently during daily operations.
proficient
Center-of-gravity computations for complex loads — calculate and certify aircraft or vehicle balance figures autonomously across diverse cargo types and non-standard consignments at a major freight operation.Ground crew oversight — independently direct and coordinate full crew teams through loading, unloading, securing, and staging activities in high-tempo or irregular operational conditions.Advanced space optimization — devise and implement cargo distribution strategies that maximize capacity utilization while satisfying safety and regulatory requirements without supervisory input.Employee training program delivery — independently train new rail or air cargo workers in safety procedures, equipment operation, and load planning using structured on-the-job instruction.Judgment and decision making under pressure — assess non-routine load challenges, weight anomalies, or equipment failures and implement corrective actions within established authority at an active freight terminal.Operations monitoring across multiple tasks — simultaneously track crew performance, cargo progress, and equipment status to ensure compliance with load schedules and safety standards.Regulatory and technical document application — apply transportation regulations, carrier requirements, and mechanical guidelines to resolve complex load or compliance issues independently.Data analysis using spreadsheet and database tools — compile, analyze, and report cargo metrics and load performance data to support operational decision making.Problem sensitivity in safety-critical environments — detect subtle indicators of load imbalance, equipment malfunction, or procedural deviation before they escalate to incidents.Cross-functional communication — articulate complex load planning decisions clearly to flight crews, logistics managers, and regulatory inspectors using precise oral and written language.
advanced
Organizational load planning standards — develop and implement facility-wide weight-and-balance policies and center-of-gravity procedures that govern all cargo operations across multiple crews and shifts.Strategic workforce development — design, oversee, and continuously improve structured training curricula for new and experienced rail and air cargo workers at an organizational level.Ground operations leadership — set performance expectations, allocate resources, and lead ground crews through complex or large-scale cargo events including emergency or irregular operations.Cargo capacity strategy — establish space utilization frameworks and load optimization protocols that maximize throughput and reduce costs across an entire cargo operation.Safety and security program ownership — author and enforce public safety and security standards for cargo handling that align with federal, carrier, and industry regulations facility-wide.Technology adoption and integration — evaluate, select, and champion the implementation of cargo management systems, database tools, and office suite solutions to modernize operational workflows.Mentorship and succession planning — identify high-potential transport workers, provide structured coaching, and build a pipeline of competent crew leads and supervisors.Cross-organizational stakeholder management — represent the cargo transportation function in negotiations and planning sessions with airline operations, rail management, regulatory bodies, and major clients.Performance metrics and continuous improvement — establish key performance indicators for load accuracy, crew efficiency, and safety compliance and drive data-informed improvements across the department.Crisis and contingency leadership — lead organizational response to major load failures, equipment outages, or safety incidents, ensuring continuity of operations and regulatory accountability at an executive level.
Also known as
44 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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