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Railroad switchman: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$68,840median pay per year, or $33.10 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $45,660lowest 10% earn less
  2. $57,82025th percentile
  3. $68,840median
  4. $76,59075th percentile
  5. $86,590top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers had a median pay of $68,840 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+0.8%[2]
Openings per year
900[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do railroad switchmen make?

BLS groups this work under the title Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers. In May 2025 the median wage was $68,840 a year, or $33.10 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $69,030 a year, or $33.19 an hour[8]. For all occupations, the median was $50,980 a year[5].

The range was fairly wide:

Point Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[4][9] $45,660 $21.95
25th percentile[4][9] $57,820 $27.80
Median[1] $68,840 $33.10
75th percentile[4][9] $76,590 $36.82
90th percentile[4][9] $86,590 $41.63

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $45,660[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[10]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11]. About 12,400 people held these jobs[12].

Pay by state and city

Among the 24 states with published data, Washington had the highest median at $85,140 a year, followed by New York at $83,530 and Iowa at $80,910[13]. Wyoming was lowest at $45,490[13].

Texas had the most jobs at 1,650, then California at 1,340 and Illinois at 1,210[14]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin had the highest median at $72,180 and about 560 jobs[15][16]. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands had about 270 jobs and a median of $47,750[16].

Show median pay in 24 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[13]$85,140740
New York$83,530220
Iowa$80,910220
Maryland$79,180100
Illinois$76,2901,210
Colorado$76,140n/a
Georgia$75,540250
New Jersey$74,16070
New Mexico$72,340100
Texas$71,5801,650
Ohio$67,770280
Missouri$67,110730
Kansas$66,990390
Michigan$66,970190
Indiana$64,530160
California$58,7701,340
Florida$58,250130
Kentucky$56,410170
Alabama$56,050240
Pennsylvania$55,470350
North Carolina$54,810110
Louisiana$54,260210
West Virginia$46,900120
Wyoming$45,490400

How to become a railroad switchman

The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers railroad workers as a wider group, not only this job[17].

Some employers may prefer people with college coursework or a degree, but a diploma is the usual minimum[20]. Switch and signal operators may later move up to conductor or yardmaster[21].

What railroad switchmen do

O*NET describes the work as running or watching track switches and locomotive instruments, and helping make up or break up trains[22]. Common tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as brakeman, switchman and switch operator[24].

Where they work

In the wider railroad group, rail transportation employs 85% of workers[25]. Rail yard and related workers spend most of their time outside, whatever the weather[26]. Trains run around the clock every day, so schedules may include nights, weekends and holidays[27]. Most railroad workers are full time, and some work more than 40 hours a week[27]. Federal rules set a minimum amount of rest for train operators[27].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 10,700 to 10,800 jobs[2]. That compares with 3.5% growth for all occupations[3]. The projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 900 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.3% of workers leave the labor force and 4.8% move to a different occupation[28].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with a median wage above the all-occupations median[1][5]. Entry needs a high school diploma and on-the-job training, with no related experience[7]. The trade-offs are a small field with very slow growth[2] and schedules that can include nights, weekends and holidays[27]. Work is mostly outdoors[26]. Pay differs a lot by place, from $45,490 in Wyoming to $85,140 in Washington[13].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[29].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a railroad switchman make an hour?
The median was $33.10 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $33.19[1][8]. The 10th percentile was $21.95 and the 90th was $41.63[9].
What education do you need to be a railroad switchman?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with no related work experience[7].
How long is the training?
BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training[7]. For signal and switch operators in the wider railroad group, company programs may last a few weeks to a few months[18].
Which state pays railroad switchmen the most?
Washington had the highest median at $85,140 a year, followed by New York at $83,530[13].
Is the job growing?
BLS projects 0.8% growth from 2025 to 2035, below the 3.5% for all occupations, with about 900 openings a year[2][3][6].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in the US was $68,840 per year and $33.10 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers is projected to grow 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 10,700 to 10,800 jobs (a change of +100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers: 10th percentile $45,660, 25th percentile $57,820, 75th percentile $76,590, 90th percentile $86,590. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 900 openings for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers was $69,030 per year and $33.19 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers: 10th percentile $21.95, 25th percentile $27.80, 75th percentile $36.82, 90th percentile $41.63. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 12,400 people were employed as Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers jobs: Texas 1,650; California 1,340; Illinois 1,210; Washington 740; Missouri 730. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $72,180; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $47,750. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers jobs: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 560 (median $72,180); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 270 (median $47,750); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 60 (median $111,050); Baton Rouge, LA 50 (median $53,960); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 40 (median $132,190). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Railroad Workers" covers Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET description of Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 53-4022.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Brakeman, Carman, Fireman, Locomotive Switch Operator, Railroad Brakeman, Railroad Switchman, Switch Operator, Switchman. O*NET OnLine
  25. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of railroad workers in 2025: Rail transportation 85%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers: 3.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  29. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.