How to become a railway carman or woman
Official title: Railway carmen/women
Also called: Railway carman/woman, Railway car inspector, Car repairer - railway, Carman/woman - railway, Railway coach repairer, Car inspector - railway, Railway car brake inspector, Railway equipment inspector, Railway carman/woman inspector, Railway carman/woman apprentice, Carman/woman inspector - railway, Inspector-carman/woman - railway
Railway carmen/women inspect, troubleshoot, maintain and repair structural and mechanical components of railway freight, passenger and urban transit rail cars. They are employed by railway transport companies and urban transit systems. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Inspect interior and exterior components of freight, passenger and urban transit rail cars to determine defects and extent of wear and damage
- Repair and install railway car parts such as compressors, air valves, bearings, couplings, air cylinders and piping
- Repair and maintain electrical and electronic controls for propulsion and braking systems
- Repair defective or damaged metal and wood components, using hand and power tools
- Repair and repaint wooden fixtures
- Replace damaged windows and repair upholstery
- Test and adjust parts using testing gauges and other test equipment
- Perform and document routine maintenance
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of an industry-offered apprenticeship program or three to four years of on-the-job training is usually required. Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship. Completion of an industry-offered apprenticeship program or three to four years of on-the-job training is usually required. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $81,900 a year The middle half earn $74,588 to $87,750.
- About 3,100 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 3,300 are projected by 2033. (+6.5%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- Machine fitters
- Elevator constructors and mechanics
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Questions people ask
How do I become a railway carman or woman?
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of an industry-offered apprenticeship program or three to four years of on-the-job training is usually required. Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
How much does a railway carman or woman earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $81,900 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $74,588 to $87,750.
Is a railway carman or woman a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2033, from about 3,100 to about 3,300 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a railway carman or woman?
Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Apprenticeship.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03