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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Louisiana Median
$54,260
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.09
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $68,840
State Rank
#22 of 24
210 employed here

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

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers working in Louisiana earn a median salary of $54,260 per year, or about $26.09 per hour. That is 21% below the national median of $68,840 for this occupation.

Within Louisiana, entry-level pay starts around $39,840 while the top 10% make $63,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,800 and $63,220 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,840$19.15
25th percentile (early career)$47,800$22.98
50th percentile (median)$54,260$26.09
75th percentile (experienced)$63,220$30.39
90th percentile (top earners)$63,250$30.41

How Louisiana compares

Louisiana ranks 22nd 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 Louisiana

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 Louisiana pay ($54,260) 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 Louisiana?
The median Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary in Louisiana is $54,260 per year, or about $26.09 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,840 at the entry level to $63,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Louisiana pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana pays Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers about 21% less than the national median of $68,840. Louisiana ranks 22nd out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Louisiana a good state for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $54,260 a year. About 210 Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers are employed in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Louisiana include Pediatrician, General ($502,720), Anesthesiologist ($410,500), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($404,550), 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.