Transit and Railroad Police

33-3052.00 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.

Also known as: Canine Officer (K-9 Officer), Field Training Advisor, Field Training Agent, Law Enforcement Officer, Officer, Patrol Man, Patrol Officer, Patroller, ...

Annual Salary

$82,320

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$65,920 25th – 75th percentile $114,040
10th percentile $58,370
90th percentile $141,870
U.S. Employment: 3,000

Job Outlook

+3%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 200 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Patrol railroad yards, cars, stations, or other facilities to protect company property or shipments and to maintain order.
  • Examine credentials of unauthorized persons attempting to enter secured areas.
  • Apprehend or remove trespassers or thieves from railroad property or coordinate with law enforcement agencies in apprehensions and removals.
  • Prepare reports documenting investigation activities and results.
  • Investigate or direct investigations of freight theft, suspicious damage or loss of passengers' valuables, or other crimes on railroad property.
  • Direct security activities at derailments, fires, floods, or strikes involving railroad property.
  • Plan or implement special safety or preventive programs, such as fire or accident prevention.
  • Monitor transit areas and conduct security checks to protect railroad properties, patrons, and employees.
  • Enforce traffic laws regarding the transit system and reprimand individuals who violate them.
  • Provide training to the public or law enforcement personnel in railroad safety or security.

Top Skills

Active Listening 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Critical Thinking 3.9
Complex Problem Solving 3.8
Monitoring 3.4
Social Perceptiveness 3.4
Writing 3.3
Coordination 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Public Safety and Security 4.9
Law and Government 4.7
English Language 4.4
Customer and Personal Service 4.1
Transportation 3.7
Education and Training 3.6
Geography 3.5
Psychology 3.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Bachelor's
28.4%
Some College
25.9%
High School
20.6%
Certificate
13.8%
Associate's
5.4%
Master's
4.6%
Professional
1.4%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

Other Tools

Crime mapping software Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS Law enforcement information databases MapInfo Professional MapInfo StreetPro National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database SmugMug Flickr Web browser software

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.9
Stress Tolerance
2.9
Dependability
2.9
Integrity
2.6
Self-Control
2.4
Cautiousness
2.1
Attention to Detail
2.0
Adaptability

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Problem Sensitivity 4.1
Oral Comprehension 4.0
Oral Expression 4.0
Speech Clarity 3.9
Inductive Reasoning 3.9
Written Expression 3.8
Far Vision 3.8
Deductive Reasoning 3.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Documenting/Recording Information 4.7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.6
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others 4.5
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public 4.5
Processing Information 4.4
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 4.4
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.4
Performing General Physical Activities 4.4

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
4.9
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
4.7
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
4.7
Contact With Others
4.7
Health and Safety of Other Workers
4.6
Telephone Conversations
4.5
Frequency of Decision Making
4.4
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.4
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.4
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
4.3
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.3

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.