Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers · North Carolina

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary in North Carolina

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $54,810 —20.4% below the national median of $68,840. That ranks NC #21 of 24 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$54,810
Median hourly
$26.35
Entry level (P10)
$36,780
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$87,560
90th percentile
Employment
110
0.0 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-20.4%
U.S. $68,840

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$36,780
$37,950
$54,810
$56,930
$36,780$54,810$87,560
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $54,810.

Employment is only 0.29× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in North Carolina.

Highest-paying states for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers

All 24 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Washington$85,140$40.937402.61
2New York$83,530$40.162200.29
3Iowa$80,910$38.902201.74
4Maryland$79,180$38.071000.44
5Illinois$76,290$36.681,2102.48
6Colorado$76,140$36.60——
7Georgia$75,540$36.322500.63
8New Jersey$74,160$35.65700.19
9New Mexico$72,340$34.781001.47
10Texas$71,580$34.411,6501.47

Related occupations in North Carolina

Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.

Frequently asked questions

How much do railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers make in North Carolina?

The median annual wage for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in North Carolina is $54,810, or $26.35 per hour. That is 20.4% below the national median of $68,840.

What is the entry-level railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers salary in North Carolina?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $36,780 per year ($17.68/hour). The 25th percentile is $37,950.

How many people work as railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in North Carolina?

About 110 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 0.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is North Carolina a good state for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers?

North Carolina ranks #21 of 24 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.29x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in North Carolina.

Which state pays railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers the most?

Washington has the highest median wage at $85,140 per year, followed by New York ($83,530) and Iowa ($80,910).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes