Rail Car Repairer salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Rail Car Repairers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $62,250 a year ($29.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,280 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $67,530. Pay here is 26% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $84,570. There are 0.13 rail car repairers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rail car repairers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| 25th percentile | $49,690 | $23.89 |
| Median | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| 75th percentile | $94,280 | $45.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,280 | $45.33 |
| Average (mean) | $67,570 | $32.48 |
Half of rail car repairers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,187.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,593.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,394.23 |
| Weekly | $1,197.12 |
| Hourly | $29.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Highest-paying states for rail car repairers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $108,680 |
| Maryland | $89,430 |
| Oregon | $87,470 |
| Colorado | $86,630 |
| Idaho | $85,420 |
| New York | $84,580 |
| Illinois | $84,570 |
| Utah | $83,980 |
| Virginia | $83,720 |
| Arizona | $81,230 |
See Rail Car Repairer pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $55,320 | $26.60 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $52,040 | $25.02 |
| Tire Repairers and Changers | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $100,610 | $48.37 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Bicycle Repairer | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | $49,660 | $23.87 |
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| Recreational Vehicle Service Technician | $56,570 | $27.20 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $58,020 | $27.90 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-3043. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rail car repairer make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for rail car repairers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $62,250 a year, or $29.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail car repairers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of rail car repairers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $94,280 a year. The top 25% earn $94,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail car repairers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,910 a year, and a quarter of rail car repairers earn $49,690 or less.
How many rail car repairers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 570 rail car repairers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.