Transit and Railroad Police

Professionals in this field patrol transit stations and railroad properties to maintain order and safety. Their daily tasks center on performing general physical activities, getting information, and identifying objects, actions, or events. They must document and record information, process data, and communicate regularly with supervisors, peers, and subordinates. When incidents arise, officers make decisions, solve problems, and resolve conflicts by negotiating with others. Working directly with the public is a major part of the job.

Success in this role requires a realistic interest area and strong skills in active listening, speaking, critical thinking, and complex problem solving. Officers must use social perceptiveness, coordination, and sound judgment when monitoring situations. Key knowledge areas include public safety and security, law and government, transportation, and customer service. Because the work can be unpredictable, officers rely on work styles such as dependability, stress tolerance, self-control, integrity, and cautiousness to manage challenging environments safely.

To enter this career, the typical education required is a high school diploma. However, the occupation generally falls under medium preparation, meaning many workers benefit from vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience. Students interested in this path often choose college majors in criminal justice and corrections.

While specific entry requirements vary by employer, several professional certifications are available to help candidates prepare. These include the Certified Protection Officer and the Professional Security Officer Program, both offered by the International Foundation for Protection Officers. Additionally, candidates can pursue the National Law Enforcement certification through the Law and Public Safety Education Network. These credentials help build foundational knowledge in security and public safety.

In 2025, the median annual pay for transit and railroad police was $90,230. This means half of the workers in this occupation earned more than this amount, while the other half earned less. Salaries typically range from below $57,690 for the lowest 10 percent of earners to above $125,910 for the highest 10 percent.

There were 4,390 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 3.2 percent, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth, combined with the need to replace departing workers, is expected to result in 300 job openings each year.