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BLSSalary

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary (2025)

Based on 12,400 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025

Official BLS Data
Annual Mean
$69,030
$33.19/hr
Annual Median
$68,840
$33.10/hr
Bottom 10%
$45,660
$21.95/hr
Top 10%
$86,590
$41.63/hr

Salary Percentile Breakdown

PercentileAnnual
10th Percentile
Bottom 10%
$45,660
25th Percentile
Lower quarter
$57,820
50th PercentileMedian
Median
$68,840
75th Percentile
Upper quarter
$76,590
90th Percentile
Top 10%
$86,590

Salary Distribution

Annual Salary Range

10th

$46K

25th

$58K

Median

$69K

75th

$77K

90th

$87K

Highest Paying States for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025

StateAnnual Mean
New York$84,240
Washington$81,560
Colorado$81,040
Georgia$79,450
Iowa$74,180
Illinois$74,110
Maryland$73,400
New Jersey$70,530
Michigan$69,830
Indiana$68,940

Geographic Salary Variation

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is New York at an average of $84,240 per year, while Indiana has an average of $68,940 — a difference of $15,300. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.

About Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 12,400 workers were employed as Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Transportation and Material Moving Occupations. The annual mean wage of $69,030 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 53-4022

What do these percentiles mean? The 10th percentile ($45,660) represents entry-level or part-time Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss, while the 90th percentile ($86,590) represents highly experienced professionals or those in high-demand locations. The median ($68,840) is the midpoint — half of all Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss earn more and half earn less than this amount.
Data sourced from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025. Public domain. Not affiliated with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.