Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN make a median of $57,390 a year, or about $27.59 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $85K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $55,401 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 47.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $57K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K.Top earners bring in $85K or more - a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $98K | +49% | 140 |
| New Jersey | $80K | +22% | 90 |
| Iowa | $77K | +18% | 330 |
| Nebraska | $70K | +8% | 350 |
| Texas | $70K | +7% | 2,050 |
| Maryland | $67K | +2% | 90 |
| Missouri | $65K | +0% | 540 |
| Kansas | $65K | -0% | 460 |
| New Mexico | $65K | -0% | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $65K | -1% | 90 |
| Florida | $64K | -2% | 170 |
| West Virginia | $62K | -5% | 110 |
| Indiana | $62K | -6% | N/A |
| Washington | $61K | -7% | 390 |
| Illinois | $60K | -8% | 1,410 |
Track railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $57,390 a year - that works out to about $27.59 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,540, and experienced railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers can clear $85,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,776/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 47.2% 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers salary is worth about $55,401 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.