Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Machines can already do 19% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 52%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Signal and Track Switch Repairers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 19% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2035, and 52% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 8,720 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $92,460 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 63% for contact with people.
- Also called: Railroad Signal Maintainer, Signal and Communications Maintainer, Signal Inspector, Signal Maintainer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors | 20% | 3% to 30% | |
| Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems | 16% | 3% to 30% | |
| Drive motor vehicles to job sites | 14% | 45% to 85% | |
| Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Test and repair track circuits | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Record and report information about mileage or track inspected, repairs performed, and equipment requiring replacement | 7% | 70% to 95% | |
| Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills signal and track switch repairers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,520
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $65,510
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $79,870
- Medical Equipment Repairers50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $61,660
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Signal and Track Switch Repairers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2035. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of signal and track switch repairers?
Machines can do 19% of the tasks of signal and track switch repairers today and 52% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-9097.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Signal and Track Switch Repairers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/signal-and-track-switch-repairers/