Full-time employees have more regular hours. They are occasionally exposed to weather and moving, mechanical parts. Most rail transportation workers are members of a union. Wages vary according to training and experience. Entry level wages may be lower.
Wages vary by occupation and the workers experience.
Pay also varies for rail transportation workers by occupation and the size of the train. Most workers are paid according to miles traveled or hours worked, whichever leads to higher earnings. Full-time rail transportation workers generally receive benefits. Common benefits are health insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation. There were 400 people employed as railroad brake, signal and switch operators in Indiana in 1998.