All About Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
Job Description: Operate railroad track switches. Couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Signal engineers by hand or flagging. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes.
List of Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator Job Duties
- Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites.
- Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools.
- Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
- Watch for and relay traffic signals to start and stop cars during shunting.
- Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
- Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator Needed Skills
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Set Rider
- Terminal Carman
- Switching Operator
- Track Helper
- Brake Rider
Are There Job Opportunities for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 19,300 jobs in the United States for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators.
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator jobs are decreasing by a rate of -1.6%. This means the total job opportunities are shrinking. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a loss of -300 jobs for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,700 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators are Texas, Nebraska, and Illinois.
Watch out if you plan on working in Louisiana, Tennessee, or Georgia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator Make?
The average yearly salary of a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator ranges between $34,610 and $85,590. The median salary for this occupation is $57,260.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
South Carolina |
$72,930 |
|
New York |
$72,170 |
|
Massachusetts |
$70,560 |
|
Minnesota |
$67,900 |
|
Washington |
$66,160 |
|
Oregon |
$65,970 |
|
Wisconsin |
$65,780 |
|
Kansas |
$63,980 |
|
Missouri |
$63,610 |
|
Illinois |
$63,030 |
|
Oklahoma |
$61,580 |
|
Nebraska |
$61,200 |
|
Michigan |
$60,940 |
|
Maryland |
$60,100 |
|
Ohio |
$58,440 |
|
Wyoming |
$58,390 |
|
Texas |
$57,890 |
|
New Jersey |
$57,610 |
|
North Carolina |
$57,250 |
|
Montana |
$56,520 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$56,080 |
|
Louisiana |
$54,650 |
|
Georgia |
$54,570 |
|
Indiana |
$51,600 |
|
Iowa |
$49,980 |
|
Kentucky |
$49,850 |
|
West Virginia |
$49,550 |
|
Utah |
$49,270 |
|
Alabama |
$48,250 |
|
Virginia |
$46,540 |
|
Arkansas |
$45,000 |
|
Florida |
$39,450 |
What Tools do Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Data entry software
Becoming a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator
Individuals working as Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators Work
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator may also be interested in:
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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