Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Make?
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers earn a median annual salary of $65,480 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $43,750 at the 10th percentile to $80,840 at the 90th percentile — a range of $37,090. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $97,690.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,750 |
| 25th percentile | $51,730 |
| Median (50th) | $65,480 |
| 75th percentile | $70,130 |
| 90th percentile | $80,840 |
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusettstop | $97,690 |
| New Jersey | $79,990 |
| Iowa | $77,150 |
| Nebraska | $70,450 |
| Texas | $69,840 |
| Colorado | $69,040 |
| Maryland | $66,680 |
| Missouri | $65,480 |
| Kansas | $65,370 |
| New Mexico | $65,240 |
| Wisconsin | $65,150 |
| Florida | $64,290 |
| West Virginia | $62,480 |
| Indiana | $61,650 |
| Washington | $61,210 |
| Illinois | $60,130 |
| Mississippi | $59,690 |
| California | $57,720 |
| Kentucky | $56,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,990 |
| Alabama | $48,460 |
| Wyoming | $48,420 |
| Ohio | $48,410 |
| North Carolina | $36,290 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$43,750 – $51,730 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$65,480 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$70,130 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $80,840+ |
How to Earn More as a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Massachusetts earn $97,690 — $32,210 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($70,130) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerthis career | $65,480 |
| Construction Equipment Operator | $58,710 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $68,860 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialist | $60,640 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics | $63,980 |
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SOC: 53-4022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.