Skip to content

Let’s finish setting up your profile

We want to help you reach your goals. Complete your learner profile to get personalized recommendations when exploring content or speaking to advisors.

Log in or create an account

An account has a lot of perks. You can save your favorite careers, schools, and articles to your profile. You can even connect with an advisor for personalized recommendations.

Log in to get all the benefits of My Texas Future. If you don't have an account, you'll have the option to create one.

Your session has expired

To continue using My Texas Future, please log in to your account.

Something went wrong

Sorry, we couldn’t submit your information successfully.

Please try again or review our FAQs.

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

Expected pay range

Expected pay range

This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Median Salary
N/A
25th percentile
N/A
75th percentile
N/A

About railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers

What they do

Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.

Other titles

Brakeman, Carman, Fireman, Locomotive Switch Operator, Railroad Brakeman, Railroad Switchman, Terminal Carman, Trainman

Licenses and Certifications they may hold

How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.

Certifications

Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications 

Related careers

Explore careers that have similar skills and duties as railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers.

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Better pay

Median salary for this career is higher than the median salary of all careers in the county selected. Salary data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.


Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Better pay

Median salary for this career is higher than the median salary of all careers in the county selected. Salary data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.


Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Better pay

Median salary for this career is higher than the median salary of all careers in the county selected. Salary data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

In demand

In-demand careers have high-growth, high-demand, and emerging jobs critical to Texas. They are based on economic indicators like in-demand industries, labor market trends, and economic conditions, provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.


Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers