Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 49-9097.00
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.17
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only14 rated tasks · 1 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (7.1%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- 2 rated tasks are not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; their scores are kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Record and report information about mileage or track inspected, repairs performed, and equipment requiring replacement.O*NET Task ID 13912 | 1.0 |
Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems.O*NET Task ID 13905 | 0.0 |
Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors.O*NET Task ID 13906 | 0.0 |
Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment.O*NET Task ID 13907 | 0.0 |
Drive motor vehicles to job sites.O*NET Task ID 13908 | 0.0 |
Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates.O*NET Task ID 13909 | 0.0 |
Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts.O*NET Task ID 13910 | 0.0 |
Replace defective wiring, broken lenses, or burned-out light bulbs.O*NET Task ID 13911 | 0.0 |
Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed.O*NET Task ID 13913 | 0.0 |
Lubricate moving parts on gate-crossing mechanisms and swinging signals.O*NET Task ID 13914 | 0.0 |
Clean lenses of lamps with cloths and solvents.O*NET Task ID 13915 | 0.0 |
Maintain high tension lines, de-energizing lines for power companies when repairs are requested.O*NET Task ID 13916 | 0.0 |
Test air lines and air cylinders on pneumatically operated gates.O*NET Task ID 13917 | 0.0 |
Test and repair track circuits.O*NET Task ID 23936 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (12)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems. | Core |
| Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors. | Core |
| Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment. | Core |
| Drive motor vehicles to job sites. | Core |
| Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates. | Core |
| Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts. | Core |
| Replace defective wiring, broken lenses, or burned-out light bulbs. | Core |
| Record and report information about mileage or track inspected, repairs performed, and equipment requiring replacement. | Core |
| Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed. | Core |
| Lubricate moving parts on gate-crossing mechanisms and swinging signals. | Core |
| Clean lenses of lamps with cloths and solvents. | Core |
| Test and repair track circuits. | Core |
0.74/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems. | E0 none |
| Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors. | E0 none |
| Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Drive motor vehicles to job sites. | E3 unstructured settings |
| Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Replace defective wiring, broken lenses, or burned-out light bulbs. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Lubricate moving parts on gate-crossing mechanisms and swinging signals. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Clean lenses of lamps with cloths and solvents. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Test and repair track circuits. | E0 none |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 9K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 9K
- Change (2025–35)
- +1.8%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $92,460
- Typical education needed for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76199 | 그 외 전기·전자기기 설치 및 수리원 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 7412Electrical Mechanics and Fitters
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Electrical mechanics and fitters fit, adjust, install and repair electrical machinery and other electrical apparatus and equipment in buildings, factories, motor vehicles, workshops, or other places.
Tasks
- (a) fitting, adjusting and repairing various kinds of electrical machinery and motors, generators, switchgear and control apparatus, instruments, or electrical parts of elevators and related equipment;
- (b) fitting, adjusting and repairing electrical parts in domestic appliances, industrial machines and other appliances;
- (c) inspecting and testing manufactured electrical products;
- (d) installing, testing, connecting, commissioning, maintaining and modifying electrical equipment, wiring and control systems;
- (e) designing, installing, maintaining, servicing and repairing electric and hydraulic passenger and freight lifts, escalators, moving walkways and other lift equipment;
- (f) connecting electrical systems to power supply;
- (g) replacing and repairing defective parts.
Example occupations
Armature builder · Automotive electrician · Electrical generator fitter · Electrical mechanic · Lift mechanic
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- rail maintenance technicianESCO 3112.1.10This occupation is narrower
Rail maintenance technicians execute routine inspections of railway tracks, powerlines, signage stations, switches, and other railway infrastructure. They are also sent out to repair defects quickly, safely, and at any time of the day or night.
- rail switchpersonESCO 8312.2Overlapping, not the same
Rail switchpersons assist in the tasks of the traffic controller. They operate switches and signals according to rail traffic control instructions, according to regulations and compliant with safety rules.
- rail traffic controllerESCO 4323.13Overlapping, not the same
Rail traffic controllers operate signals and points that help make sure trains run safely and on time. They operate from a signal box in order to control the order and movement of trains and ensure safety at all times. They are responsible for maintaining safety standards when trains are running normally and also in degraded or emergency operational situations.
- railway electronic technicianESCO 7421.6Overlapping, not the same
Railway electronic technicians are responsible for installing, inspecting, testing, and maintaining train control systems, radio, radar, electronic and electromagnetic components.
- train preparerESCO 8312.5Overlapping, not the same
Train preparers are responsible for checking and testing of equipment and systems on rail vehicles before vehicles are moved. They ensure that a train is in a fit condition to enter service, that the train equipment is correctly deployed and the formation of the train matches the train’s designated pathway. Depending on the individual work organisation of the operator they also perform technical inspections carried out prior to the train entering service.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| F1629 | Electricien / Electricienne de signalisation ferroviaire | Same scope |
| N4405 | Agent / Agente d'exploitation du réseau ferré | Related, not a match |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 7521 | Mecánicos y reparadores de equipos eléctricos | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 7531 | Mecánicos y reparadores de equipos electrónicos | Related, not a match |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 51222 | Berufe in der Überwachung und Wartung der Eisenbahninfrastruktur - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | This occupation is narrower |
| 26252 | Berufe in der elektrischen Betriebstechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 51223 | Berufe in der Überwachung und Wartung der Eisenbahninfrastruktur - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 679 | その他の電気工事従事者 | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 682 | 鉄道線路工事従事者 | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources