Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $57,390 -12.4% vs national
Median hourly $27.59
10th percentile $47,540
90th percentile $85,040
Employed locally 600
National median $65,480

Compare Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary & buying power

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Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,540
    25th
    $47,540
    50th (median)
    $57,390
    75th
    $85,040
    90th
    $85,040

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary vs area income 65% Median Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary is 35% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $132,190
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $108,350
    Massachusetts $97,690
    New Jersey $79,990
    Iowa $77,150
    Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $76,860

    Nearby metros — Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $61,360
    Illinois $60,130

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $40,030
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,940
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,430
    Light Truck Drivers $47,270
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $46,760
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $36,680

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Chicago, IL-IN is $27.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.63 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salaries?

    The median Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 12.4% below the national median of $65,480. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Chicago?

    Entry-level Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers (10th percentile) earn around $47,540 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,540.