How much does a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer make?
The median railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer in the United States earns $68,840 per year, about $33.10 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-4022.
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer salary range
Pay for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $45,660 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $86,590. The average (mean) wage of $69,030 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,660 | $21.95 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $57,820 | $27.80 | |
| Median (50th) | $68,840 | $33.10 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $76,590 | $36.82 | |
| 90th percentile | $86,590 | $41.63 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers (SOC 53-4022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers earn the most in Washington at $85,140 a year, and the least in Wyoming at $45,490. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $85,140 | 740 |
| New York | $83,530 | 220 |
| Iowa | $80,910 | 220 |
| Maryland | $79,180 | 100 |
| Illinois | $76,290 | 1,210 |
| Colorado | $76,140 | N/A |
| Georgia | $75,540 | 250 |
| New Jersey | $74,160 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $72,340 | 100 |
| Texas | $71,580 | 1,650 |
| Ohio | $67,770 | 280 |
| Missouri | $67,110 | 730 |
| Kansas | $66,990 | 390 |
| Michigan | $66,970 | 190 |
| Indiana | $64,530 | 160 |
| California | $58,770 | 1,340 |
| Florida | $58,250 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $56,410 | 170 |
| Alabama | $56,050 | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,470 | 350 |
| North Carolina | $54,810 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $54,260 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $46,900 | 120 |
| Wyoming | $45,490 | 400 |
State median wages for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers (SOC 53-4022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers
The BLS projects employment of railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 10,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 10,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 900 openings a year for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer
The typical entry-level education for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $85,140) and the lowest (Wyoming, $45,490) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,400 people work as railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in the United States. At $68,840 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer salary FAQ
How much does a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer is $33.10. The middle half of railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers earn between $27.80 and $36.82 per hour.
What is the highest railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers earn more than $86,590 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer make a year?
The median annual salary for a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer is $68,840. The average (mean) wage of $69,030 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer a well paid job?
At $68,840 a year, a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,400 people work as railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in the United States.
Which state pays railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers at $85,140 a year. New York ($83,530) and Iowa ($80,910) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer a good career?
Employment of railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers is projected to hold roughly steady 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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