Career Explorer Transport and logistics
Human edge, steady
Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 64% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +0.8% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on ethical judgement and physical dexterity.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $60,600
- Job growth to 2035
- +0.8%
- Openings a year
- 300
- People doing it (2025)
- 3,500
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Communicate with others about operational plans or activities
- Connect components or supply lines to equipment or tools
- Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Operate transportation equipment or vehicles
- Inspect vehicles
- Position tools or equipment
What the work looks like
- Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
- Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
- Apply and release hand brakes.
- Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
- Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Pump operators, except wellhead pumpersHuman edge, growing, Index 79, +4.3%
- Automotive and watercraft service attendantsHuman edge, growing, Index 92, +3.8%
- Industrial truck and tractor operatorsHuman edge, steady, Index 82, +1.5%
- Transportation workers, all otherHuman edge, growing, Index 83, +4.0%
Also known as: Engineer, Railcar Switcher, Railroad Engineer, Switchman, Carman, Hostler, Rail Yard Engineer, Yard Engineer.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.