Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers: 12,400 jobs, median pay $68,840

12,400

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$68,840

Median pay a year

Middle half: $57,820–$76,590

900

Annual openings

10-year change: +0.8%

High school diploma or equivalent

Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

5 of 5 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $72,180 · LCA filings 0560$72,1800

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $47,750 · LCA filings 0270$47,7500

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $111,050 · LCA filings 060$111,0500

Baton Rouge, LAMedian pay $53,960 · LCA filings 050$53,9600

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $132,190 · LCA filings 040$132,1900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$132,190400

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$111,050600

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 560 · LCA filings 0$72,1805600

Baton Rouge, LAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$53,960500

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployment 270 · LCA filings 0$47,7502700

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $59,550 · Level III $70,678 · Level IV $81,806$48,422$59,550$70,678$81,806

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $47,798 · Level III $51,834 · Level IV $55,848$43,784$47,798$51,834$55,848

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $87,506 · Level III $106,787 · Level IV $126,069$68,224$87,506$106,787$126,069

Baton Rouge, LALevel II $48,859 · Level III $53,123 · Level IV $57,387$44,595$48,859$53,123$57,387

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $102,419 · Level III $118,685 · Level IV $134,971$86,133$102,419$118,685$134,971

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Ground TransportationCIP 49.02OPT · up to 12 months52OPT · up to 12 months

See Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in every metro area

All 5 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology