Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers earn a median $68,840 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers do
Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.8% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 900
Employment of railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers is projected to grow 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,315
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,268
- Medicare (1.45%)$998
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$57,259
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,660 | $21.95 | $38,868 |
| 25th percentile | $57,820 | $27.80 | $48,638 |
| Median (50th) | $68,840 | $33.10 | $57,259 |
| 75th percentile | $76,590 | $36.82 | $62,711 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,590 | $41.63 | $69,746 |
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $85,140 | +39.1% | $68,726 | $62,360 – $85,140 | 740 |
| New York | $83,530 | — | $63,680 | $47,570 – $137,890 | 220 |
| Iowa | $80,910 | +4.9% | $63,327 | $50,660 – $82,240 | 220 |
| Maryland | $79,180 | +18.7% | $61,136 | $49,920 – $104,260 | 100 |
| Illinois | $76,290 | +26.9% | $58,868 | $48,410 – $99,430 | 1,210 |
| Colorado | $76,140 | +10.3% | $59,753 | $48,150 – $97,940 | — |
| Georgia | $75,540 | — | $58,675 | $52,940 – $109,270 | 250 |
| New Jersey | $74,160 | −7.3% | $58,452 | $52,850 – $81,440 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $72,340 | +10.9% | $57,487 | $50,070 – $76,590 | 100 |
| Texas | $71,580 | +2.5% | $59,187 | $39,570 – $71,860 | 1,650 |
| Ohio | $67,770 | +40.0% | $55,425 | $49,600 – $70,430 | 280 |
| Missouri | $67,110 | +2.5% | $53,825 | $67,050 – $67,290 | 730 |
| Kansas | $66,990 | +2.5% | $53,019 | $62,400 – $72,800 | 390 |
| Michigan | $66,970 | — | $53,348 | $40,890 – $117,650 | 190 |
| Indiana | $64,530 | +4.7% | $52,156 | $60,200 – $77,760 | 160 |
| California | $58,770 | +1.8% | $47,062 | $51,480 – $70,000 | 1,340 |
| Florida | $58,250 | −9.4% | $48,984 | $43,180 – $95,380 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $56,410 | +0.6% | $45,649 | $56,240 – $63,000 | 170 |
| Alabama | $56,050 | +15.7% | $44,679 | $44,050 – $104,250 | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,470 | +6.7% | $45,047 | $33,950 – $73,530 | 350 |
| North Carolina | $54,810 | +51.0% | $44,542 | $36,780 – $87,560 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $54,260 | — | $44,536 | $39,840 – $63,250 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $46,900 | −24.9% | $38,481 | $40,010 – $79,020 | 120 |
| Wyoming | $45,490 | −6.1% | $38,731 | $40,090 – $70,070 | 400 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $60,600 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $56,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.4% |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.5% |
| Subway and Streetcar Operator | $86,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.8% |
| Wellhead Pumper | $69,960 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.0% |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.8% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,890 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.0% |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $61,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers make?
The national median salary for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers is $68,840 a year ($33.10 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,660 and the top 10% earn over $86,590. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $85,140.
How many railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers are there in the U.S.?
About 12,400 people work as railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers nationwide.