Top 5 cities for this job by average salary
| Seattle, WA | $118,860 |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $106,980 |
| Chicago, IL | $70,790 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $53,170 |
| Houston, TX | $51,870 |
Map: Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary by state
New York pays railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers the most statewide, $84,240 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $84,240 | $83,530 | 220 | 1 | $106,980 | $106,980 |
| Washington | $81,560 | $85,140 | 740 | 1 | $118,860 | $118,860 |
| Colorado | $81,040 | $76,140 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $79,450 | $75,540 | 250 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Iowa | $74,180 | $80,910 | 220 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | $74,110 | $76,290 | 1,210 | 1 | $70,790 | $70,790 |
| Maryland | $73,400 | $79,180 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | $70,530 | $74,160 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $69,830 | $66,970 | 190 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $68,940 | $64,530 | 160 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Mexico | $68,780 | $72,340 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $66,640 | $67,110 | 730 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | $66,080 | $66,990 | 390 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $61,930 | $67,770 | 280 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| California | $61,530 | $58,770 | 1,340 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alabama | $61,350 | $56,050 | 240 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $61,300 | $71,580 | 1,650 | 1 | $51,870 | $51,870 |
| Kentucky | $58,440 | $56,410 | 170 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Florida | $57,380 | $58,250 | 130 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Carolina | $57,300 | $54,810 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $55,360 | $55,470 | 350 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| West Virginia | $54,280 | $46,900 | 120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $53,810 | $54,260 | 210 | 1 | $53,170 | $53,170 |
| Wyoming | $50,690 | $45,490 | 400 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $118,860 | $132,190 | $57.14 | 40 |
| New York, NY | $106,980 | $111,050 | $51.43 | 60 |
| Chicago, IL | $70,790 | $72,180 | $34.03 | 560 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $53,170 | $53,960 | $25.56 | 50 |
| Houston, TX | $51,870 | $47,750 | $24.94 | 270 |
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Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary: questions
Where do railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers make the most money?
In Seattle, WA, with an average of $118,860 a year, among the 5 metro areas we cover.
What is the average railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers salary in the U.S.?
$69,030 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $68,840, so half of railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers nationwide earn between $57,820 (25th percentile) and $76,590 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers the most?
New York, with a statewide average of $84,240 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers pay the lowest?
Houston, TX, at $51,870 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-4022.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.