Best degree programs for Signal and Track Switch Repairers, ranked by enrollment
1 college programs and 505 schools train Signal and Track Switch Repairers. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $92,460 median wage, 8,720 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
1 college programs at 505 schools train signal and track switch repairers, graduating 35,302 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Electrician. The job pays a median of $92,460 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About signal and track switch repairers
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
1 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 46.0302 | 35,302 | 100.0% | 505 | $39,766 | $9,500 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN Public · 1 feeder programs | 749 | Electrician | 40% | — | — |
| 2 | Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 635 | Electrician | 58% | — | — |
| 3 | Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 633 | Electrician | 59% | — | — |
| 4 | City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College Chicago, IL Public · 1 feeder programs | 622 | Electrician | 27% | — | — |
| 5 | Owensboro Community and Technical College Owensboro, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 551 | Electrician | 54% | — | — |
| 6 | Apex Technical School Long Island City, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 549 | Electrician | 78% | $17,771 | — |
| 7 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Union Union, NJ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 520 | Electrician | 75% | $26,378 | — |
| 8 | NUC University Bayamon, PR Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 464 | Electrician | 54% | $9,377 | — |
| 9 | UEI College - Reseda Reseda, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 464 | Electrician | 74% | $27,592 | — |
| 10 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 460 | Electrician | 43% | — | — |
| 11 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Whitestone Whitestone, NY Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 447 | Electrician | 67% | $34,271 | — |
| 12 | Tulsa Welding School - Houston Houston, TX Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 393 | Electrician | 70% | $34,116 | — |
| 13 | Gateway Community and Technical College Florence, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 358 | Electrician | 59% | — | — |
| 14 | UEI College - Riverside Riverside, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 348 | Electrician | 71% | $27,181 | — |
| 15 | Institute for Business and Technology San Jose, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 311 | Electrician | 84% | $26,509 | — |
| 16 | UEI College - Chula Vista Chula Vista, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 306 | Electrician | 71% | $28,465 | — |
| 17 | Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park Melrose Park, IL Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 302 | Electrician | 68% | $25,508 | — |
| 18 | J F Ingram State Technical College Deatsville, AL Public · 1 feeder programs | 297 | Electrician | 21% | — | — |
| 19 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Mahwah Mahwah, NJ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 282 | Electrician | 79% | $29,877 | — |
| 20 | UEI College - Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 279 | Electrician | 68% | $29,687 | — |
| 21 | Summit College San Bernardino, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 277 | Electrician | 62% | $25,402 | — |
| 22 | UEI College - West Covina West Covina, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 277 | Electrician | 67% | $27,767 | — |
| 23 | UEI College - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 269 | Electrician | 60% | $28,742 | — |
| 24 | SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, LA Public · 1 feeder programs | 265 | Electrician | 43% | — | — |
| 25 | UEI College - Stockton Stockton, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 265 | Electrician | 71% | $27,036 | — |
| 26 | Pennco Tech - Blackwood Blackwood, NJ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 264 | Electrician | 72% | $23,217 | — |
| 27 | Ashland Community and Technical College Ashland, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 260 | Electrician | 51% | — | — |
| 28 | Ogden - Weber Technical College Ogden, UT Public · 1 feeder programs | 260 | Electrician | 53% | — | — |
| 29 | UEI College - Garden Grove Garden Grove, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 259 | Electrician | 63% | $26,221 | — |
| 30 | UEI College - Phoenix Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 258 | Electrician | 57% | $32,886 | — |
| 31 | Somerset Community College Somerset, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 255 | Electrician | 43% | — | — |
| 32 | UEI College - Ontario Ontario, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 254 | Electrician | 66% | $27,167 | — |
| 33 | San Joaquin Valley College - Modesto Salida, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 253 | Electrician | 77% | $25,571 | — |
| 34 | UEI College - Gardena Gardena, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 250 | Electrician | 60% | $28,919 | — |
| 35 | National Career Education Citrus Heights, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 248 | Electrician | 83% | $25,889 | — |
| 36 | Southern California Institute of Technology Anaheim, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 241 | Electrician | 74% | $29,667 | 74% |
| 37 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 240 | Electrician | 33% | — | — |
| 38 | Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 235 | Electrician | 56% | — | — |
| 39 | Southern Careers Institute - Brownsville Brownsville, TX Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 231 | Electrician | 68% | $17,794 | — |
| 40 | Pitt Community College Winterville, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 225 | Electrician | 35% | — | — |
| 41 | Tulsa Welding School - Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 218 | Electrician | 73% | $28,537 | — |
| 42 | UEI College - Huntington Park Huntington Park, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 218 | Electrician | 70% | $29,313 | — |
| 43 | Northshore Technical Community College Lacombe, LA Public · 1 feeder programs | 216 | Electrician | 40% | — | — |
| 44 | Big Sandy Community and Technical College Prestonsburg, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 205 | Electrician | 38% | — | — |
| 45 | San Joaquin Valley College - Ontario Ontario, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 201 | Electrician | 64% | $26,900 | — |
| 46 | Pennco Tech - Bristol Bristol, PA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 200 | Electrician | 84% | $22,272 | — |
| 47 | UEI College - Oceanside Oceanside, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 198 | Electrician | 69% | $26,941 | — |
| 48 | Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad Ponce, PR Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 196 | Electrician | 95% | $8,859 | — |
| 49 | Refrigeration School Inc Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 196 | Electrician | 76% | $26,791 | — |
| 50 | San Joaquin Valley College - Temecula Temecula, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 196 | Electrician | 82% | $27,730 | — |
What signal and track switch repairers earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $84,670 | 390 | 0.38× | 52 | 7,464 |
| Kentucky | $75,870 | 60 | 0.51× | 16 | 3,918 |
| Texas | $85,020 | 650 | 0.82× | 23 | 1,974 |
| New Jersey | $82,990 | 260 | 1.08× | 13 | 1,589 |
| Florida | $78,680 | 290 | 0.53× | 38 | 1,390 |
| Georgia | $79,860 | 440 | 1.59× | 22 | 1,201 |
| Illinois | $95,610 | 720 | 2.10× | 10 | 1,163 |
| New York | $94,530 | 1,910 | 3.51× | 5 | 1,095 |
| Pennsylvania | — | 260 | 0.77× | 18 | 1,077 |
| Arizona | $96,460 | 100 | 0.56× | 12 | 910 |
| Indianamoderate | $92,200 | 220 | 1.24× | 3 | 909 |
| Minnesota | $96,780 | 80 | 0.48× | 15 | 683 |
| Virginia | $95,620 | 170 | 0.74× | 17 | 472 |
| Wisconsin | $85,440 | 60 | 0.38× | 10 | 352 |
| Kansas | $83,550 | 120 | 1.44× | 12 | 324 |
| Ohio | $58,840 | 150 | 0.49× | 13 | 287 |
| Colorado | $83,930 | 160 | 1.01× | 5 | 268 |
| Tennessee | $79,730 | 190 | 1.03× | 11 | 262 |
| Michigan | $93,060 | 120 | 0.48× | 10 | 215 |
| Washington | $121,710 | 210 | 1.04× | 5 | 165 |
| Massachusettslimited | $126,440 | 160 | 0.77× | 2 | 61 |
| Missourimoderate | $86,300 | 250 | 1.51× | 3 | 49 |
| Oregonlimited | — | 70 | 0.68× | 1 | 3 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors.
- Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts.
- Test and repair track circuits.
- Drive motor vehicles to job sites.
- Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems.
- Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates.
- Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment.
- Replace defective wiring, broken lenses, or burned-out light bulbs.
Skills
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Active Listening3.0
- Writing2.9
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Speaking2.9
- Active Learning2.9
- Monitoring2.9
- Learning Strategies2.6
Knowledge areas
- Transportation3.7
- Mechanical3.7
- English Language3.6
- Public Safety and Security3.5
- Engineering and Technology3.1
- Telecommunications3.1
Abilities
- Problem Sensitivity3.8
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.8
- Control Precision3.8
- Manual Dexterity3.6
- Finger Dexterity3.6
- Flexibility of Closure3.6
Core activities
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials3.8
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment3.8
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards3.6
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment3.6
- Getting Information3.6
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work3.5
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Signal
Job zone 3 of 5 · SVP 6.0 to < 7.0- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 1 majors mapped to Signal and Track Switch Repairers1 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 46.0302Electrician
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Signal?+
High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Electrician, which awarded 35,302 degrees in 2024-25, 100.0% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Signal?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 1 programs to this occupation. The largest are Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. Together they graduate about 35,302 people a year.
How much do signal and track switch repairers earn?+
The median is $92,460 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $62,610 at the 10th percentile to $119,550 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for signal and track switch repairers growing?+
BLS projects a +1.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 800 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
505 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 1 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do signal and track switch repairers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Signalman, Signal Inspector, Signal Maintainer, Train Control Electronic Technician among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 49-9097.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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