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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$74,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $68,840
State Rank
#8 of 24
70 employed here

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

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in New Jersey take home a median of $74,160 annually — roughly $35.65 an hour — which runs 8% above the national median of $68,840.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $52,850 while the top 10% make $81,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,710 and $78,500 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,850$25.41
25th percentile (early career)$63,710$30.63
50th percentile (median)$74,160$35.65
75th percentile (experienced)$78,500$37.74
90th percentile (top earners)$81,440$39.15

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 8th 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($74,160) 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 New Jersey?
The median Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary in New Jersey is $74,160 per year, or about $35.65 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,850 at the entry level to $81,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers about 8% more than the national median of $68,840. New Jersey ranks 8th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,160 a year. About 70 Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.