Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Role Overview
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.
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Salary by State (top paying)
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for this career?
Projected growth and annual openings are from BLS Employment Projections. Use the sidebar for median salary and growth rate.
How does salary vary by state?
See the Salary by State table above for state-level median wages from OEWS data.
Median Annual Salary
$65,480
Projected Growth (10yr)
+1.0%
Avg. annual openings
1.0k
Market Insight
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