Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $54,230 -17.2% vs national
Median hourly $26.07
10th percentile $44,360
90th percentile $62,250
Employed locally 270
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
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,360
    25th
    $46,010
    50th (median)
    $54,230
    75th
    $57,110
    90th
    $62,250

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary vs area income 67% Median Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary is 33% 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

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers$36,200
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37,600
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$55,500
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,240
    Light Truck Drivers$43,690
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$59,890

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Houston, TX is $26.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.47 or more per hour.

    Is Houston 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 Houston, TX is 17.2% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers (10th percentile) earn around $44,360 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,010.