Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$56,410
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $68,840
State Rank
#18 of 24
170 employed here

How much do Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers make in Kentucky?

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $56,410 per year, or about $27.12 per hour. That is 18% below the national median of $68,840 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $56,240 while the top 10% make $63,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,260 and $61,570 a year.

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$56,240$27.04
25th percentile (early career)$56,260$27.05
50th percentile (median)$56,410$27.12
75th percentile (experienced)$61,570$29.60
90th percentile (top earners)$63,000$30.29

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 18th out of 24 states and territories for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$85,140
2New York$83,530
3Iowa$80,910
4Maryland$79,180
5Illinois$76,290

Working as Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Kentucky

Nationally, about 12,000 people work as Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($56,410) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers make in Kentucky?
The median Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary in Kentucky is $56,410 per year, or about $27.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,240 at the entry level to $63,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers about 18% less than the national median of $68,840. Kentucky ranks 18th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $56,410 a year. About 170 Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.