Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers earn a median of $68,840 per year ($33.10/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 0.8% through 2035, with about 900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 53-4022
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $68,840a year, or $33.10/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $46KTop 10% $87K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +0.8%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+0.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +0.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 90010,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202510.7K
- Projected 203510.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 10.7K Projected 2035 10.8K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Brakeman, Carman, Fireman, Locomotive Switch Operator, Railroad Brakeman, Railroad Switchman.
Pay
How much do Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers make?
Every railroad brake, signal, and switch operator and locomotive firer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$68,840
Middle half earn $57,820 to $76,590
- 10th
- $45,660
- 25th
- $57,820
- 75th
- $76,590
- 90th
- $86,590
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $45,660 |
| 25th | $57,820 |
| Median | $68,840 |
| 75th | $76,590 |
| 90th | $86,590 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $68,840
- Median hourly wage
- $33.10/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $69,030
- People employed
- 12,400
Versus all US occupations
At $68,840, Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers earn 35% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $17,860 a year.
Versus transportation and material moving occupations
Inside the Transportation and Material Moving group, where the middle occupation pays $62,840, this is 10% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $86,590 or more while the bottom 10% earn $45,660, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 44% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($85,140), but once local prices are taken into account Iowa leads at $92,193 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $85,140 | $79,560 | 740 |
| 2New York | $83,530 | $77,399 | 220 |
| 3Iowa | $80,910 | $92,193 | 220 |
| 4Maryland | $79,180 | $75,439 | 100 |
| 5Illinois | $76,290 | $76,322 | 1,210 |
| 6Colorado | $76,140 | $73,885 | N/A |
| 7Georgia | $75,540 | $78,448 | 250 |
| 8New Jersey | $74,160 | $68,159 | 70 |
| 9New Mexico | $72,340 | $78,450 | 100 |
| 10Texas | $71,580 | $73,750 | 1,650 |
Job outlook
Is Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +0.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | +0.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers to change 0.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 900 openings are projected each year, 8.4% of the 10,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of railroad workers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 6,100 openings for railroad workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The expected increase in intermodal freight activity, the shipment of goods through multiple transportation modes, may support demand for railroad workers. However, railroads’ efforts to operate more efficiently, such as by deploying automated systems, are likely to limit employment.
Getting in
How to become a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer
Workers in railroad occupations typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and several months of on-the-job training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer 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.
Railroad workers ensure that passenger and freight trains run on time and travel safely. Some workers drive trains, some coordinate the activities of the trains, and others operate signals and switches in the rail yard.
Day-to-day tasks
- Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
- Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
- Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
- Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
- Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations.
- Conduct brake tests to determine the condition of brakes on trains.
- Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
- Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Because trains operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, railroad workers’ schedules may vary to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Federal regulations require a minimum number of rest hours for train operators.
Locomotive engineers and conductors whose trains travel long routes may be away from home for long periods. Those who work on passenger trains with short routes generally have more predictable schedules. Workers on some freight trains have irregular schedules.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Monitoring3.4
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Writing2.4
- Active Learning2.4
- Learning Strategies2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.4 |
| Active Learning | 2.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.5
- Coordination3.3
- Operation and Control3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Time Management2.8
- Complex Problem Solving2.6
- Quality Control Analysis2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Time Management | 2.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.6 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
- Expert system software
- Route navigation software
- Time accounting software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.3
- Investigative2.1
- Enterprising1.4
- Social1.2
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
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Median annual pay, with railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers highlighted
- Airline Pilot$232,140
- Commercial Pilot$123,220
- Locomotive Engineer$81,410
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster$78,000
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer$68,840
- Crane and Tower Operator$68,080
- Flight Attendant$63,580
- Truck Driver$58,640
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$49,690
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilot | $232,140 |
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer | $68,840 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 |
| Truck Driver | $58,640 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $49,690 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer appears on
Questions
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer: frequently asked questions
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 of $68,840 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 35% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $33.10/hr. The middle half earn between $57,820 and $76,590. The top 10% earn $86,590 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training.
Is Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.8% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer do?
Railroad workers ensure that passenger and freight trains run on time and travel safely. A core O*NET task: inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Operating system software.
Which states pay Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers the most?
The highest state medians for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers are Washington ($85,140), New York ($83,530), Iowa ($80,910) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Iowa moves to the top at $92,193.
What personality type suits a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator and Locomotive Firer?
O*NET scores Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.