With over 49,000 kilometers of track, Canada has the 5th largest rail network in the world. Railways helped shape our country, and still move most of Canada’s freight. Canada’s railways move goods to market and get people where they need to go.
Do you want to bring Canadian goods to market and Canadians with the potential to see the Continent? A career in the rail sector might be right for you!
On this page
- What jobs are available in rail transportation?
- Skills and training
- Learn about an occupation
- Apply for a job in rail transportation
- Information for employers
What jobs are available in rail transportation?
On average, railway employees earn around $99,000 a year. This makes them some of the highest paid people in Canada’s transportation sector.
There are many different jobs in rail transportation. Here are just a few:
- railway conductors control train movement
- locomotive engineers operate trains
- railway technicians maintain track safety and respond to emergencies
- rail traffic controllers control the flow of traffic by reviewing train schedules and communicating with train personnel
- inspectors to ensure a safe and secure rail transportation system (e.g. Transport Canada)
Skills and training
Once you’ve chosen the job you’d like to pursue, you’ll need training.
Across Canada, you’ll need different types of training depending on the job you want. Some training is offered directly through railways, but some jobs may require you to take courses through an accredited institution.
While these programs will vary, all programs will:
- help you understand legal requirements like the Rail Safety Act and the Canadian Rail Operating Rules, and
- can include both in-class work and hands-on experience
Learn about an occupation
To explore occupations in Canada’s rail sector, visit these job profile reports on Job Bank – the leading source of jobs and labour market information in the country. Each report includes information about wages, career prospects, skills, job requirements and more.
- Transportation route and crew schedulers
- Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
- Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks
- Supervisors, railway transport operations
- Railway carmen/women
- Railway and yard locomotive engineers
- Railway conductors and brakemen/women
- Railway yard and track maintenance workers
- Railway and motor transport labourers
- Dispatchers
Apply for a job in rail transportation
A career in rail systems can work for you at many levels. Whether moving passengers across or between cities, or moving cargo and tourists across the continent there’s a spot for you in the industry. Here’s a few links to get you started.
Find available jobs in your area by using the national Job Bank:
- Transportation route and crew schedulers
- Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
- Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks
- Supervisors, railway transport operations
- Railway carmen/women
- Railway and yard locomotive engineers
- Railway conductors and brakemen/women
- Railway yard and track maintenance workers
- Railway and motor transport labourers
- Dispatchers
Other Rail Careers:
- Careers at the Railway Association of Canada
- Careers at Canadian National Railway
- Careers at Canadian Pacific Railway
- Careers at VIA Rail Canada
Information for employers
If you operate a Class I, II, or III railway, here are some resources from the Government of Canada to help you attract, retain, and train employees:
- Job Bank - Advertise your marine jobs for free and reach the right candidates through several job boards across Canada
- the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy which can help you find young job seekers;
- your Regional Development Agency
- financing options from the Government of Canada