SOC 53-4022 · Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers wages by metro
National median annual wage
$68,840
- 10th percentile
- $45,660
- 25th percentile
- $57,820
- Median
- $68,840
- 75th percentile
- $76,590
- 90th percentile
- $86,590
- Mean
- $69,030
Annual wage from the May 2025 OEWS estimates.
National employment in May 2025: 12,400.
That median is 35% higher than the all-occupations national median of $50,980.
The metro and state figures below are the same May 2025 release. A blank wage means BLS did not publish it. See when a wage is not published.
Highest published medians
| Occupation | Employment | 10th | Median | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 40 | $64,480 | $132,190 | $147,350 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 60 | $63,710 | $111,050 | $137,890 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 560 | $48,410 | $72,180 | $86,590 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 50 | $43,880 | $53,960 | $70,270 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 270 | $40,060 | $47,750 | $63,370 |
Where employment is largest
| Occupation | Employment | 10th | Median | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 560 | $48,410 | $72,180 | $86,590 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 270 | $40,060 | $47,750 | $63,370 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 60 | $63,710 | $111,050 | $137,890 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 50 | $43,880 | $53,960 | $70,270 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 40 | $64,480 | $132,190 | $147,350 |
States and territories
| Occupation | Employment | 10th | Median | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 740 | $62,360 | $85,140 | $85,140 |
| New York | 220 | $47,570 | $83,530 | $137,890 |
| Iowa | 220 | $50,660 | $80,910 | $82,240 |
| Maryland | 100 | $49,920 | $79,180 | $104,260 |
| Illinois | 1,210 | $48,410 | $76,290 | $99,430 |
| Colorado | Not available | $48,150 | $76,140 | $97,940 |
| Georgia | 250 | $52,940 | $75,540 | $109,270 |
| New Jersey | 70 | $52,850 | $74,160 | $81,440 |
| New Mexico | 100 | $50,070 | $72,340 | $76,590 |
| Texas | 1,650 | $39,570 | $71,580 | $71,860 |
| Ohio | 280 | $49,600 | $67,770 | $70,430 |
| Missouri | 730 | $67,050 | $67,110 | $67,290 |
| Kansas | 390 | $62,400 | $66,990 | $72,800 |
| Michigan | 190 | $40,890 | $66,970 | $117,650 |
| Indiana | 160 | $60,200 | $64,530 | $77,760 |
| California | 1,340 | $51,480 | $58,770 | $70,000 |
| Florida | 130 | $43,180 | $58,250 | $95,380 |
| Kentucky | 170 | $56,240 | $56,410 | $63,000 |
| Alabama | 240 | $44,050 | $56,050 | $104,250 |
| Pennsylvania | 350 | $33,950 | $55,470 | $73,530 |
| North Carolina | 110 | $36,780 | $54,810 | $87,560 |
| Louisiana | 210 | $39,840 | $54,260 | $63,250 |
| West Virginia | 120 | $40,010 | $46,900 | $79,020 |
| Wyoming | 400 | $40,090 | $45,490 | $70,070 |
Other transportation and material moving occupations
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Stockers and Order Fillers
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Light Truck Drivers
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
- Packers and Packagers, Hand
- Driver/Sales Workers
Questions this page answers
What is the national median wage for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
In the May 2025 OEWS estimates, the national median annual wage for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers is $68,840. Employment is 12,400.
How does Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers pay compare with all occupations?
The national median for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers is 35% higher than the all-occupations median of $50,980.
Which metro has the highest published median for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
Among metros with a published annual median in the May 2025 tables, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is highest on this page's list at $132,190.