Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Employment & Job Outlook in California (2024)

California employs 1,220 Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • California employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
1,220
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
1.22
workers
Location Quotient
3.24
vs national avg
Average Salary
$57K
annual

High Demand in California

The location quotient (LQ) of 3.24 indicates that California has a higher-than-average concentration of Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

California vs National Average

Total Employed
1,220
National: 10,170
12.0% of national
Jobs per 1,000
1.22
National: 0.38
+221.1%
Average Salary
$57K
National: $64K
-10.1%

Top States by Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Employment

#1
1,860
1,860
employed
#2
1,460
1,460
employed
#3
1,220
1,220
employed
#4
530
530
employed
#5
450
450
employed
#6
440
440
employed
#7
390
390
employed
#8
380
380
employed
#9
330
330
employed
#10
320
320
employed

What Does a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Earn in California?

The average annual salary for a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in California is $57,910. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers jobs are there in California?

California employs approximately 1,220 Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks California among the top states nationwide.

Is Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in demand in California?

Yes — California has above-average concentration of Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers jobs (LQ: 3.24). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in California?

The average (mean) salary for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in California is $57910/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers professionals?

The top state for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers employment is Texas with 1,860 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers (SOC 534022) in California.

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