Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Washington make a median of $85,140 a year, or about $40.93 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $85K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $83,462 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 32.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $85K get you in Washington?
About railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers, local pay runs about 24% higher than the U.S. median of $69K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $85K or more, a $23K spread from bottom to top.
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $132K | +55% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $85K, rent takes 32.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,700/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,742/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 49% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firer a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 24% above the national median — $85K here vs. $69K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers?
Washington pays $85K median vs. the U.S. average of $69K — that’s +24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $83K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers make in Washington?
The median is $85,140 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,360, and experienced railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers can clear $85,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,690/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 32.2% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $83,462 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.