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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$66,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $68,840
State Rank
#14 of 24
190 employed here

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

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Michigan take home a median of $66,970 annually — roughly $32.20 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $68,840.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $40,890 while the top 10% make $117,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,520 and $77,930 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$40,890$19.66
25th percentile (early career)$51,520$24.77
50th percentile (median)$66,970$32.20
75th percentile (experienced)$77,930$37.47
90th percentile (top earners)$117,650$56.56

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 14th 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 Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($66,970) 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 Michigan?
The median Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary in Michigan is $66,970 per year, or about $32.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,890 at the entry level to $117,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers about 3% less than the national median of $68,840. Michigan ranks 14th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $66,970 a year. About 190 Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers are employed in Michigan. 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 Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), 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.