Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX make a median of $54,230 a year, or about $26.07 an hour. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.63), that's roughly $54,983 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,573/month — about 41.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $54K get you in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
About railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Entry-level railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K.Top earners bring in $62K or more - a $18K 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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median is $54,230 a year - that works out to about $26.07 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,360, and experienced railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers can clear $62,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,801/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,573/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 41.4% 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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands has a Regional Price Parity of 98.63 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers salary is worth about $54,983 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.