Railway yard workers
Railway yard workers regulate yard traffic, couple and uncouple trains and perform related yard activities
Good
Market Demand
TEER 4
Skill Level
SK, ON, NB
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Operate control panel switches from railway yard tower to set traffic signals and to activate train switches that regulate railway traffic in railway yards
- Operate car retarders, turntables and track switches to align locomotives and cars as required for coupling, uncoupling or servicing
- Switch cars according to instructions which indicate the location, disposition and number of cars
- Lubricate moving parts of railway cars and locomotives.
Qualifications
- checkSome secondary school education is usually required.
- checkExperience as a railway labourer is required.
- checkRailway yard workers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.
Market Outlook by Province
Saskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for railway yard and track maintenance workers (NOC 74200) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Demand for this occupation is driven by freight and passenger volumes. Freight activity may be indirectly impacted by current tariffs that are altering trade patterns, disrupting supply chains and increasing carrier costs.Expected growth in interprovincial trade between Saskatchewan and the rest of Canada following Saskatchewan's MOU with Ontario to facilitate greater trade, and the removal of 53 federal exceptions in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement by the federal government should sustain freight activity and improve employment prospects for this occupation.Key trends in this occupation include the use of AI-powered platforms which optimize switching operations, smart sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT) devices that provide real-time monitoring of rail assets and infrastructure, along with predictive maintenance. Workers use Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) systems for situational awareness, communication, and safety.Jobs are concentrated in the Swift Current - Moose Jaw and Yorkton - Melville regions.Here are some key facts about railway yard and track maintenance workers in Saskatchewan: Approximately 350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Railway yard and track maintenance workers mainly work in the following sectors: Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): more than 95% 72% of railway yard and track maintenance workers work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 7% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 66% compared to 33% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 16% compared to 15% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 18% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Good
Outlook
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for railway yard and track maintenance workers (NOC 74200) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about railway yard and track maintenance workers in Ontario: Approximately 3,750 people work in this occupation. Railway yard and track maintenance workers mainly work in the following sectors: Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 94% 76% of railway yard and track maintenance workers work all year, while 24% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 11% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 41% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 15% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 23% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
New Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Limited for railway yard and track maintenance workers (NOC 74200) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about railway yard and track maintenance workers in New Brunswick: Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Railway yard and track maintenance workers mainly work in the following sectors: Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 481-483, 485-486, 493): 61%Scenic and sightseeing transportation and support activities for transportation (NAICS 487-488): 39% 63% of railway yard and track maintenance workers work all year, while 38% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 14% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 45% compared to 30% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 23% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Limited
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 4 occupations typically require a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Not eligible for Express Entry but may qualify through provincial programs.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Atlantic Immigration Program
Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot
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Top Companies Hiring
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Canadian National Railway Company
2 active roles · Kindersley, SK · Humboldt, SK
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