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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$55,470
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $68,840
State Rank
#20 of 24
350 employed here

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

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Pennsylvania take home a median of $55,470 annually — roughly $26.67 an hour — which runs 19% below the national median of $68,840.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $33,950 while the top 10% make $73,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,140 and $73,350 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,950$16.32
25th percentile (early career)$38,140$18.34
50th percentile (median)$55,470$26.67
75th percentile (experienced)$73,350$35.26
90th percentile (top earners)$73,530$35.35

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 20th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($55,470) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary in Pennsylvania is $55,470 per year, or about $26.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,950 at the entry level to $73,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers about 19% less than the national median of $68,840. Pennsylvania ranks 20th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $55,470 a year. About 350 Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

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

Related salaries

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

$92,460
median pay · 37,000 employed

Transportation Worker, All Other

$45,650
median pay · 14,000 employed

Rail Transportation Worker, All Other

$56,360
median pay · 1,000 employed

Motorboat Operator

$47,520
median pay · 2,000 employed

Airfield Operations Specialist

$56,850
median pay · 15,000 employed

Material Moving Worker, All Other

$41,800
median pay · 23,000 employed
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.