Class I Rail Employment Ticked up in February

Employment at Class 1 railroads in the United States in February rose 0.81 percent the U.S. Surface Transportation Board reported this week.

The railroads employed 120,210 people. The percentage increase was compared with January employment levels. The February 2023 employment levels were 5.19 percent higher than those of February 2022.

The STB said five of six employment categories posted gains when comparing February to January employment.

They were: executives, officials and staff assistants, up 1.45 percent to 8,114 employees; transportation (train and engine), up 1.08 percent to 50,858; maintenance of way and structures, up 0.88 percent to 28,454; maintenance of equipment and stores, up 0.32 percent to 17,851; and professional and administrative, up 0.05 percent to 10,086.

The transportation (other than train and engine) category fell 0.14 percent to 4,847 employees last month compared with January’s level.

On a year-over-year comparison, all categories saw gains. This included transportation (train and engine), up 7.99 percent; executives, officials and staff assistants, up 6.65 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, up 3.87 percent; professional and administrative, up 2.58 percent; maintenance of way and structures, up 2.31 percent; and transportation (other than train and engine), up 2.19 percent.

Tags: Class 1 railroad employment, STB employment figures, U.S. Surface Transportation Board