Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Transit and Railroad Police: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Transit and Railroad Police professionals earn $32,650 more per year than Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals — that's 65.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $141,870 for Transit and Railroad Police.
Salary Range Comparison
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Transit and Railroad Police$58,370 – $141,870
$33,660$141,870
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | Transit and Railroad Police | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $33,660 | $58,370 | $-24,710 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,140 | $65,920 | $-27,780 |
| Median (50th) | $49,670 | $82,320 | $-32,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,660 | $114,040 | $-48,380 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,850 | $141,870 | $-61,020 |
| Mean (Average) | $55,260 | $91,820 | $-36,560 |
Employment Numbers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
688,840
employed nationwide
Transit and Railroad Police
3,000
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $77,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $74,590 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,930 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,590 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $62,970 |
Best Cities for Transit and Railroad Police
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,490 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $91,930 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,220 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $86,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,650 (65.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries range from $33,660 (10th percentile) to $80,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $49,670.
What is the salary range for Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police salaries range from $58,370 (10th percentile) to $141,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $82,320.
How many Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Transit and Railroad Police jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics positions and 3,000 Transit and Railroad Police positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Transit and Railroad Police to Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has a median salary of $49,670 while Transit and Railroad Police earns $82,320. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS