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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$83,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $68,840
State Rank
#2 of 24
220 employed here

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

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers working in New York earn a median salary of $83,530 per year, or about $40.16 per hour. That is 21% above the national median of $68,840 for this occupation.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $47,570 while the top 10% make $137,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,700 and $83,530 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,570$22.87
25th percentile (early career)$63,700$30.63
50th percentile (median)$83,530$40.16
75th percentile (experienced)$83,530$40.16
90th percentile (top earners)$137,890$66.29

How New York compares

New York ranks 2nd 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 York

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 York pay ($83,530) 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 York?
The median Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary in New York is $83,530 per year, or about $40.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,570 at the entry level to $137,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers about 21% more than the national median of $68,840. New York ranks 2nd out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $83,530 a year. About 220 Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.