Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary in California
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in California make a median of $57,720 a year, or about $27.75 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $68K for experienced workers.
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Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of California. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
Bar chart showing Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary percentiles in California: 10th percentile $50,560, 25th percentile $57,590, median $57,720, 75th percentile $68,300, 90th percentile $68,300. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Entry-level railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K. Top earners bring in $68K or more, a $18K spread from bottom to top.
How much do railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers make in California?▼
The median is $57,720 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,560, and experienced railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers can clear $68,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in California?▼
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,889/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 63.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers salary go in California?▼
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers salary is worth about $54,381 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers get paid the most?▼
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
