Rail transportation
NAICS Code: 482000
BLS projects Rail transportation to grow +0.4% through 2034 - 2.0 points slower than the 2.4% average across 291 U.S. industries, faster-growing than 32% of them. Its trajectory is close to the typical U.S. industry.
Where Rail transportation sits among all industries
Projected 2024-2034 growth across 291 U.S. industries (BLS). This industry is marked in rose.
Where Rail transportation sits by projected growth
Projected employment change across tracked industries
0.4% Top 68% higher than 32% of 291 industries
Industries, banded by projected growth
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more industries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source BLS Employment Projections · 2026-05-15
Steady-state read
Signature: 40.5% mean employer AI exposure across 45 tracked public companies .
Employment change is near the industry median, yet the sector has a large tracked public-company set - the grade mix below is the more distinctive signal on this page.
NAICS 482000 · 156,400 workers (2024, ×1k) · source BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Employer AI grades are occupation-weighted scores from our SEC cohort, not automation predictions for every establishment in Rail transportation.
Public companies near this industry
SEC industry labels matching tokens from Rail transportation. 45 companies scored · mean AI exposure 40.5%.
| Company | AI grade |
|---|---|
| Alaska Air Group, Inc. | B |
| American Airlines Group Inc. | B |
| Booking Holdings Inc. | B |
| Brinks Co | B |
| Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. | B |
| BW LPG Ltd | B |
| C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. | B |
| Cadeler A/S | B |
Grades are occupation-weighted AI exposure from our employer corpus - not a claim that every establishment in Rail transportation shares the same risk. Source: SEC company metadata + O*NET-weighted scores · as of 2026-05-15.
Peer Industries by Employment
How Rail transportation (NAICS 482000) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Security systems services | 157,200 | +11.9% |
| Metalworking machinery manufacturing | 157,100 | -6.2% |
| Rail transportation | 156,400 | +0.4% |
| Offices of optometrists | 154,500 | +7.6% |
| Exterminating and pest control services | 153,500 | +3.3% |
| Electrical equipment manufacturing | 153,000 | +4.4% |
Peers are selected by similarity in 2024 employment. Figures in thousands. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in Rail transportation?
As of 2024, the Rail transportation industry employs approximately 156,400 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Rail transportation growing or declining?
The Rail transportation industry is projected to grow by 0.4% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of +700 jobs over the decade.
Which public companies sit near Rail transportation?
45 tracked public companies whose SEC industry label matches Rail transportation. Sample names include Alaska Air Group, Inc., American Airlines Group Inc., Booking Holdings Inc.. Grades are occupation-weighted AI exposure scores, not company-specific automation forecasts.
How will AI affect the Rail transportation industry?
Among 45 tracked public companies tied to this industry's sector, the mean occupation-weighted AI exposure score is 40.5% (most common grade B). That is a staffing-pattern signal from our employer corpus, not a forecast for every firm in Rail transportation. Pair it with occupation-level AI exposure scores for role-specific risk.
Where to look next
What to do with this
Use Rail transportation's employment and exposure numbers above to look up individual employers and occupations, not just the industry aggregate.
- See how public employers in this and other industries rank nationwide by AI displacement risk. Employer AI risk rankings
- Browse individual occupations to see exposure and wage detail below the industry level. Browse all occupations
- Compare this industry's outlook against a specific occupation or employer using the interactive tool. Workforce comparison tool
Industry-level figures are aggregates; individual employer and occupation outcomes vary.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034; SEC employer metadata for AI grades Employment figures in thousands. Employer grades are occupation-weighted exposure scores, not firm automation forecasts