Railroad Jobs in Georgia – The Ultimate Guide.

Ah, yes, the peach state. There’s so much to appreciate about Georgia. Despite its size, the state has so much to offer. Among these are historic cities, lush greenery, beautiful mountants, and exceptional wine. The state also has a long (and fascinating) history of railroading.

Back in the day, Georgia housed hundreds of railways, including several famous quintessential lines. So, if you’re seeking railroad jobs in Georgia, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty.

And today, we’ll be diving into most of them so that you can find the best one for you.

Before we get started, though, let’s talk about Georgia’s current condition. What is it like these days?

railroad jobs in georgia

The Economy of Georgia

The COVID-19 outbreak heavily struck Georgia. The pandemic abruptly halted foreign visitor arrivals. Additionally, poor external demand led to an expected financial drop of 6% during 2020. There was also a 5% rise in the nation’s poverty rate.

The disruption of employment and revenue was significant as well. Due to Georgia’s overall financial crisis, the government’s budget deficits and debt levels exceeded statutory limits.

But, a complete recovery is expected to occur by 2022 for Georgia’s economy. The state made significant strides amid disease outbreaks, scarcity of employees, and other logistical shortages. According to data and news, experts anticipate Georgia’s overall GDP to rise by 4% — with no extreme recessions.

Despite a slower pace of progress than the first rebound witnessed in 2021, the outlook for 2022 (and beyond) remains promising. In 2021, Georgia’s GDP rebounded, but the job market remained stagnant.

Thankfully, the state’s employment rate is predicted to approach pre-COVID levels by 2022. This indicates a complete recovery from the pandemic.

Sectors including transportation and tourism will see substantial growth in employment as a direct result of COVID-19’s impact.

That said, now is the perfect chance for you to start looking for railroad jobs in Georgia. Things are beginning to open up, and getting ahead will significantly benefit you.

Railroads in Georgia

Back in the 1800s, no dependable modes of travel and transport in Georgia. People used waterways for many of the state’s major cities to get to their respective locations.

It wasn’t until the 1830s that the government established the earliest railroad lines in Georgia. During this time, Agusta, Savannah, Athens, and Macon were the only linked areas.

Fast forward a quarter of a century later, Georgia began to possess the most rail lines in Deep South. Not only that, but the state also connected its main cities and built a modern railway terminal in Atlanta.

Georgia’s railways have continued increasing since then. Today, its network spans 5,000 miles, centered by two Class I leading lines. This includes CSX and Northfolk Southern. The state also carries a good number of shortlines.

Railroad Jobs in Georgia comprise conductors, trainmasters, engineers, and so much more. So whether you’re looking for an engineering railroad job or an organizational operations position, you will find something.

cargo train at georgia railway

Railroad employment provides the most significant earnings among the transport and logistic sectors. Moreover, they’re a viable career because of the excellent retirement plans.

Also, railroad retirees receive pension payments. This is because the Social Security Act does not represent them. Instead, the Railroad Retirement Act covers these.

Apart from the wage and benefits, railroad industry employees have longer tenures than their counterparts in other sectors. The overall average duration for railroad employees is about 14 and a half years. According to the US Department of Labor, private sector employees typically have a typical tenure of 4 years.

Now, let’s get started with your job search! Here are the different companies you can work for in Georgia.

train crossing railway

Class I Railroad Jobs in Georgia

Georgia’s network comprises almost 70% of Class Is. So, if you’re looking for good compensation packages, then apply for Class I jobs. But, if you are freshly hopping on the railroad sector, it’s best if you know what you’re getting into first.

For instance, most Class I railroad jobs are more demanding than their counterparts. This means you may not have control over your schedule.

Moreover, you might work at least 12 hours a day. Make sure you consider these, especially if you have a family. Chances are, you will spend most of your time on the rails and away from home.

Here are the Class I Railroad jobs in Georgia:

CSX

There are several career paths attainable at this railroad. This includes entry-level positions to senior management roles.

CSX is a great company to work with for a variety of reasons. If you want to work for an employer that cares about your well-being, this is the place for you! Here are some of the best things about working for CSX:

  • They provide various career paths in the locomotive sector, including various positions.
  • Several scholarships are available through the company to assist you in better understanding the company and the overall railroad industry.
  • You can volunteer for nonprofit organizations.
  • CSX has a long and distinguished background as among the most notable railroad pioneers in the United States.

Click here to be directed to their career page.

Norfolk Southern

The railroad company Norfolk Southern is a prominent player in the market. They maintain and control a railway network of nearly 20,000 miles. These miles span 20 states, Colombia, and the Mississippi River (east). Additionally, Norfolk Southern transports consumer items and agricultural and forestry products.

Those interested in working for this wonderful organization have many employment opportunities.

Norfolk Southern places a high value on the well-being and security of all its workers. Here we highlight some of the benefits of working for them:

  • Customer and performance-focused.
  • They are known for their top-notch safety restrictions.
  • Future-forward.
  • Prioritizes employees.

Click here to be directed to their career page.

local train in georgia

Shortline Railroad Jobs in Georgia

Also known as Class III railroads, shortlines have an operational cargo profit cap of nearly 36 million dollars. Shortline railroads play a crucial role in sustaining, moving, and supplying the nation. Basically, these smaller railways are the glue that collectively binds the whole system.

And these jobs have more flexible and fixed schedules. If you’re not keen on working demanding hours, you might find something for you in the shortline. Without further ado, here they are!

Bay Line Railroad

Initially, the company Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay Railway operated the Bay Line. These have been around since the mid-twentieth century. But now, it is owned by G&W. You can also find remnants of ​​the Central of Georgia Railway in its 100 miles of Alabama track. Bayline railroad carries a wide range of items such as forestry to coal.

The company has some job listings open on Indeed. Click here to check them out.

Chattahoochee Bay Railroad

This network spans a 25-mile shortline supporting the Alabama city of Dothan. At Hilton, the railway crosses the Georgia line boundary. It additionally connects with Norfolk Southern in this line. Genesee & Wyoming also owns the Chattahoochee Bay Railroad.

Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway

This branch of Genesee & Wyoming operates 49 miles to the south of Tennessee. Chemicals and plastic make up the bulk of its present cargo.

Columbus & Chattahoochee Railroad

This 26-mile route began operation in 2012. People once used it between the Alabama towns of Mahrt and Girard. In addition, it possessed NS railway privileges in Georgia. Genesee & Wyoming also owns the route, connecting Norfolk Southern and the G&W-operated Georgia Southwestern around Columbus. It carries mainly fuel, carbon, and aggregate.

Fulton County Railway

In 2004, this OmniTRAX channel opened its doors to passengers. Located in the Fulton County Industrial Park, FCR manages a network of nearly 20 miles of rail. It houses over 40 train line warehouses and small manufacturing sectors that export or acquire items. These include food, chemicals, and metals.

Georgia & Florida Railway

This extended shortline has a total length of 264 miles. The Georgia & Florida Railway stretches from Albany, Georgia, Foley, and Florida. It is now an asset of OmniTRAX and carries a wide range of cargo.

Click here to learn more about them and their open job listings.

Hartwell Railroad

This 3-footed and slender was chartered in 1878 to link Hartwell and Bowersville ultimately. In 1902, Southern Railway took ownership of the route and re-gauged it to rail systems. Then, they decided to swap out the Nancy Hart wood-burning engine with a bigger coal-burning one.

Click here to learn more about them and their open job listings.

cargo train railway at night

Kickstart Your Career With These Railroad Jobs in Georgia!

Georgia offers something for everyone. So whether you’re looking for yardmaster or operations jobs, you can find something for you. It’s also a gratifying job to have — especially when it comes to benefits. 

But, always remember to consider your capabilities. Each job has its own set of challenges. Pairing your strengths with the tasks is the perfect way to land a job you’ll like. 

If you’re still exploring your options, you can check out our other railroad jobs! We have plenty of states and options to choose from. You can also check out our blogs to learn more about the industry!

We wish you the best of luck in your job search!