Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators ensure safe operation of trains by controlling brakes, signals, and switches. Locomotive firers assist engineers in maintaining proper steam pressure and fueling locomotives.
This article will explore the best states for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. Indiana ($78,870)
- 2. New Jersey ($77,060)
- 3. New York ($74,750)
- 4. Montana ($72,260)
- 5. North Carolina ($70,460)
- 6. California ($69,400)
- 7. Missouri ($68,620)
- 8. Massachusetts ($68,460)
- 9. Illinois ($68,420)
- 10. Nebraska ($65,790)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers are in Indiana, where they earn an average of $78,870 per year.
- The lowest-paid railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $-1 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers is $56,650 per year.
1. Indiana ($78,870)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Indiana earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in Indiana is
$78,870, which is +39% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $78,870 |
| 10th Percentile | $47,080 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,440 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,130 |
| 90th Percentile | $88,190 |
2. New Jersey ($77,060)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in New Jersey earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in New Jersey is
$77,060, which is +36% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $77,060 |
| 10th Percentile | $59,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,760 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,120 |
3. New York ($74,750)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in New York earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in New York is
$74,750, which is +32% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $74,750 |
| 10th Percentile | $49,980 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,850 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,970 |
4. Montana ($72,260)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Montana earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in Montana is
$72,260, which is +28% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $72,260 |
| 10th Percentile | $73,520 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,520 |
| 75th Percentile | $73,570 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,570 |
5. North Carolina ($70,460)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in North Carolina earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in North Carolina is
$70,460, which is +24% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $70,460 |
| 10th Percentile | $47,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,750 |
| 90th Percentile | $77,760 |
6. California ($69,400)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in California earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in California is
$69,400, which is +23% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $69,400 |
| 10th Percentile | $69,920 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,140 |
7. Missouri ($68,620)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Missouri earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in Missouri is
$68,620, which is +21% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $68,620 |
| 10th Percentile | $68,570 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $68,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,740 |
8. Massachusetts ($68,460)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Massachusetts earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in Massachusetts is
$68,460, which is +21% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $68,460 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $86,460 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,960 |
9. Illinois ($68,420)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Illinois earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in Illinois is
$68,420, which is +21% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $68,420 |
| 10th Percentile | $48,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,620 |
10. Nebraska ($65,790)
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Nebraska earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in Nebraska is
$65,790, which is +16% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $65,790 |
| 10th Percentile | $62,020 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $68,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,670 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers are in Indiana, where they earn an average of $78,870 per year. The lowest-paid railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $-1 per year. The U.S. average salary for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers is $56,650 per year and there are 13,140 jobs in the field.
