Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary
The median railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers salary in the United States is $68,840 per year ($33.10/hour). Salaries range from $45,660 at the entry level to $86,590+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 12,400 railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 1% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$68,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.10
per hour
Employment
12,400
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$45,660
25th percentile
$57,820
Median
$68,840
75th percentile
$76,590
90th percentile
$86,590
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+1%
Slower than average
Annual Openings
1,000
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Training Needed
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$45K$85K■ No data
Top Paying States
Washington
$85K
+24%
New York
$84K
+21%
Iowa
$81K
+18%
Maryland
$79K
+15%
Illinois
$76K
+11%
Colorado
$76K
+11%
Georgia
$76K
+10%
New Jersey
$74K
+8%
New Mexico
$72K
+5%
Texas
$72K
+4%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $85,140 | +23.7% |
| New York | $83,530 | +21.3% |
| Iowa | $80,910 | +17.5% |
| Maryland | $79,180 | +15.0% |
| Illinois | $76,290 | +10.8% |
| Colorado | $76,140 | +10.6% |
| Georgia | $75,540 | +9.7% |
| New Jersey | $74,160 | +7.7% |
| New Mexico | $72,340 | +5.1% |
| Texas | $71,580 | +4.0% |
Showing 1–10 of 24
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary by Metro Area
Limited metro data available — BLS only publishes data for areas with sufficient survey responses.
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $132,190 | +92.0% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $111,050 | +61.3% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,180 | +4.9% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $53,960 | -21.6% |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $47,750 | -30.6% |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers earning $68,840/year would need 866 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 930 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary trend (2011–2024) →