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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$85,140
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+24% vs US median
US median $68,840
State Rank
#1 of 24
740 employed here

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

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers working in Washington earn a median salary of $85,140 per year, or about $40.93 per hour. That is 24% above the national median of $68,840 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $62,360 while the top 10% make $85,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $83,480 and $85,140 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$62,360$29.98
25th percentile (early career)$83,480$40.13
50th percentile (median)$85,140$40.93
75th percentile (experienced)$85,140$40.93
90th percentile (top earners)$85,140$40.93

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 1st 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($85,140) 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 Washington?
The median Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary in Washington is $85,140 per year, or about $40.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,360 at the entry level to $85,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers about 24% more than the national median of $68,840. Washington ranks 1st out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $85,140 a year. About 740 Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.