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Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Illinois
Considering working as a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Illinois? Below are the key facts. Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.
What do Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Make in Illinois?
The railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers working in Illinois, the median annual wage is $60,130 per year (or about $28.91/hour).Earnings range from $46,210 at the 10th percentile to $85,040 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,210 | $22.21 |
| 25th percentile | $47,540 | $22.85 |
| Median (50th) | $60,130 | $28.91 |
| 75th percentile | $82,710 | $39.77 |
| 90th percentile | $85,040 | $40.88 |
The job concentration index in Illinois compared to the national average — is 2.88, suggesting that railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers earn a median of $27,598 per year ($13.27/hour), above the Illinois median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 585,023 railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers across the United States. In Illinois alone, around 1,410 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 260 railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers.
Top Illinois Metros for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
These are the Illinois metros with the most railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in Illinois.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 600 | $57,390 |
Top States for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Employment
View the states that employ the most railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 2,050 |
| Illinois | 1,410 |
| California | 1,200 |
| Missouri | 540 |
| Kansas | 460 |
| Washington | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | 360 |
| Wyoming | 350 |
| Nebraska | 350 |
| Iowa | 330 |
| Alabama | 300 |
| Kentucky | 260 |
| Colorado | 250 |
| New York | 180 |
| Florida | 170 |
| Ohio | 140 |
| Massachusetts | 140 |
| New Mexico | 140 |
| West Virginia | 110 |
| Wisconsin | 90 |
Highest-Paying States for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Where railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers earn the most: railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $97,690 |
| New Jersey | $79,990 |
| Iowa | $77,150 |
| Nebraska | $70,450 |
| Texas | $69,840 |
| Colorado | $69,040 |
| Maryland | $66,680 |
| Missouri | $65,480 |
| Kansas | $65,370 |
| New Mexico | $65,240 |
Skills
Top railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers typically:
- Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
- Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
- Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
- Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
- Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
- Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
- Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
- Operate locomotives in emergency situations.
- Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
- Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.
- Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.
- Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Performing General Physical Activities
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Google Android In-demand technologies: Google Android
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Related occupations to railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers include:
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
- Rail Car Repairers
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Also Known As
Air Brake Operator, Air Hose Coupler, Area Brakeman, Brake Holder, Brake Rider, Brakeman, Car Coupler, Car Hopper, Car Rider, Car Runner, Car Shifter, Car Shunter, Carman, Conductor, Coupler.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 53-4022.00
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