Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Transportation and Material Moving
Much of the work is on the ground or beside a locomotive rather than driving it. You pull or push switches to reroute cars, inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes, and signal the engineer by hand, lantern, or radio when to start or stop. Along the route you confirm track signals, watch for dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes on curves, and look for obstacles. The crew coordinates by reading each other’s signals; in an emergency you may run the locomotive. It suits people who like physical rail work, close equipment checks, and working as part of a crew.
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$68'840
Median Wage Market Position
$68'840
What you might do
- Throw track switches to send cars onto new tracks
- Signal engineers to start or stop for coupling
- Confirm route signals and tell the engineer
- Inspect couplings, air hoses, and handbrakes
- Watch curves for dragging gear or smoking boxes
- Scan the left side of the track for obstacles
Skills that matter
- Pulling track switches to reroute cars
- Verifying wayside signals for the engineer
- Spotting dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes
- Inspecting couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes
- Signaling engineers when coupling or uncoupling
- Operating the locomotive in an emergency
AI & the future of this role
Remote switching, sensors, and track monitoring could take over more routine signal and inspection tasks. Hands-on checks, safety accountability, and irregular field conditions still favor people, though demand for some roles may soften.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details