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Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary in LA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in LA have a median annual salary of $54,260, with 210 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $39,840 at the 10th percentile to $63,250 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$54,260

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$26.09

Employment

210

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$39,840
10th
$47,800
25th
$54,260
Median
$63,220
75th
$63,250
90th

Local compared with national

LA

$54,260

Median annual · 2025

United States

$68,840

Median annual · 2025

The LA median is 21.2% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $14,580).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.5
  2. 2.MonitoringImportance 3.4
  3. 3.CoordinationImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Operation and ControlImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  6. 6.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.9
  10. 10.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.9
  11. 11.Time ManagementImportance 2.8
  12. 12.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 2.6

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Electronic train management system software
  • Electronic train management systems ETMS
  • Google Android
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Route mapping software
  • Time tracking software

Common tasks

  • Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
  • Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
  • Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
  • Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
  • Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
  • Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
  • Conduct brake tests to determine the condition of brakes on trains.
  • Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
  • Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.
  • Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary in other locations

Other occupations in LA