Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers is $36.68 an hour ($76,290 a year). About 1,210 people work in this job there.
That is 11% higher than the U.S. median ($68,840). Illinois ranks 5th of 24 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $23.27 | $48,410 |
| 25% of workers | $23.62 | $49,140 |
| Half of workers (median) | $36.68 | $76,290 |
| 75% of workers | $41.63 | $86,590 |
| 90% of workers | $47.80 | $99,430 |
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $72,180 | 560 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.8% over ten years, little or no change · about 900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $64,340 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $79,820 |
| Locomotive Engineers | $93,320 |
| Rail Car Repairers | $84,570 |
| Signal and Track Switch Repairers | $95,610 |
Other job titles for this job
Open railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.