"If you want a job, go look at the railroads."

All aboard: Railroads are hiring

By Erin Golden
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
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Railroad jobs pay well
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists median hourly wages nationally for conductors and yardmasters at $25.40; brake, signal and switch operators, $22.94; locomotive engineers and operators, $22.54; and all others, $21.12.
Among the hires Union Pacific is planning:
>> About 500 people for nonunion positions in fields such as human resources, information technology, operations management and dispatch. Many of those jobs require a college degree.
>> Other positions are suited to people with trade experience. Some do not require a degree or specific experience, and U.P. provides on-the-job training.
>> Some 1,800 new train crew employees, ranging from brake and switch operators to conductors and engineers.
>> Another 1,300 in the engineering division, including about 375 signal workers and about 300 track laborers.
>> Between 600 and 650 to work as diesel mechanics, electricians and freight car repairers.

If there's a good indicator of how things are going for the rail industry, it might be all the new faces showing up at Union Pacific.

They belong to dispatchers and engineers, train conductors and signal workers, administrative assistants and diesel mechanics.

Just two years ago, the Omaha-based railroad was laying off thousands of workers, taking engines off the tracks and holding off on big projects. Now U.P.'s hiring has picked up to its highest rate since before the recession. The vast majority of the 5,300 workers who were furloughed have been given the chance to return to work. By year's end, the company hopes to have boosted its workforce by an additional 1,500 people.

"It's across the board ... everything from track labor to IT professionals to people with an MBA," said Jim Young, chairman and CEO. "It covers the whole spectrum."