Headline risk
3%
Very Low RiskRail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
AI displacement pressure score for United States AI Work Index, combining global AI task overlap with local wages, employment trends, and demand signals.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 58,030
Employment 2024
3.1K
Projected Change (2024–34)
0.3%
Openings (2024–34)
0.2K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of railroad workers is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation. AI use: 0%
- 2. Apply and release hand brakes. AI use: 0%
- 3. Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars. AI use: 0%
- 4. Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment. AI use: 0%
- 5. Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones. AI use: 0%
- 6. Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 48.6 · 108K employed
Under 25: 2% · 25–54: 63% · 55+: 36%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Data quality
Employment data available
Narrative & sources
Railroad workers ensure that passenger and freight trains operate safely. They may drive trains, coordinate the activities of the trains, or control signals and switches in the rail yard.
Nearly all railroad workers are employed in the rail transportation industry. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Railroad workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and several months of on-the-job training.
The median annual wage for railroad workers was $75,680 in May 2024.
Overall employment of railroad workers is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.
Important context
This score measures structural AI displacement pressure, not actual job losses. Local wages and demand data are specific to United States AI Work Index; the underlying AI task overlap analysis is consistent across all countries.