Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers work in a specialized transportation role that combines mechanical awareness, physical capability, and strong attention to detail. National employment stands at 11,000, with projected employment growth of 1.0% and about 1,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing turnover and hiring needs. The national median annual salary of $65,480 places this occupation in a solid earnings range for workers who typically enter with a high school diploma or equivalent. Success in this field draws on skills such as fine motor abilities, physical strength and stamina, problem solving and decision making, and strong speaking and listening. Writing and reading, mechanical and science skills, and adaptability also contribute to effectiveness and safety. For students, career changers, and experienced workers, this occupation offers a combination of hands-on work, structured procedures, and steady demand across several regions, with notable opportunities in specific states and metro areas that feature higher salaries or stronger concentration of jobs.
The national median annual salary for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers is $65,480, providing a solid earnings level given the typical entry requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent. Pay varies across states and metro areas. Among top states, median salaries range from $58,770 in California to $85,140 in Washington and $83,530 in New York, with Maryland and Texas also above $70,000. At the metro level, the salary range is even wider. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro shows a median salary of $111,050, while Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue reports a median of $132,190, the highest among the listed areas. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin offers $72,180, while Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands and Baton Rouge provide lower medians of $47,750 and $53,960. These differences highlight the importance of location in shaping earning potential within this occupation.
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers have national employment of 11,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 1.0%. This projected growth, combined with approximately 1,000 annual openings, suggests a stable flow of opportunities driven by both new positions and turnover. The consistent 1.0% growth rate that appears in multiple states and metro areas indicates similar expectations across many regions rather than sharp regional contrasts in projected change. For job seekers and career changers, the combination of an established employment base and recurring annual openings can support both entry into the field and lateral moves within it. While the occupation is specialized, the presence of related roles such as crane and tower operators, print binding and finishing workers, extruding and forming machine setters, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, and food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders may offer additional pathways for people with overlapping interests in hands-on, operational work.
Location plays a major role in opportunities for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers. Among states, California and Texas stand out for employment levels, with 1,340 and 1,650 workers respectively, and opportunity scores of 67.38 and 51.57. Washington, New York, and Maryland have smaller employment counts—740, 220, and 100—but higher median salaries, particularly Washington at $85,140 and New York at $83,530. New York, Washington, and Maryland also post opportunity scores above 50, signaling a mix of pay and employment conditions that may appeal to workers considering relocation. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City leads with an opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $111,050, despite relatively low employment of 60. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue similarly combines high pay at $132,190 with employment of 40 and an opportunity score of 61.92. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, and Baton Rouge offer more moderate salaries and employment levels, reflecting a diverse geographic landscape for this career.
The typical education for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers is a high school diploma or equivalent, making this career accessible to individuals who do not plan to pursue a four-year degree. However, the work still demands a broad and rigorous skill set. Fine motor skills, physical strength and stamina, and mechanical abilities are central to handling equipment and performing tasks safely and effectively. Being detail oriented and strong in problem solving and decision making supports accurate operation and timely responses to changing conditions. Adaptability and leadership enhance performance in dynamic work environments and team settings. Writing and reading skills, along with speaking and listening, are essential for understanding procedures and communicating clearly. Science knowledge also plays a role, supporting comprehension of systems and processes. Together, these skills form a profile well-suited to individuals who are practical, observant, and ready to learn structured operational work after completing a high school level education.
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