Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Montana (2024)

How does Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Montana? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

0% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Montana salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$78,190
$6,516/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$78,230
$6,519/mo
Senior (P90)
$78,230
$6,519/mo

Montana vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$78,190
National: $49,886
+56.7%
Mid-Career (Median)
$78,230
National: $64,898
+20.5%
Senior (P90)
$78,230
National: $76,199
+2.7%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Montana spans from $78,190 at entry-level to $78,230 at senior level — a difference of $40 per year.

P10
$78K
P25
$78K
Median
$78K
P75
$78K
P90
$78K

Career Growth Premium: +0%

Senior Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss in Montana earn $40 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$40
Monthly Difference
+$3
Hourly Difference
+$0.02
Growth Multiple
1.0x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary increases with experience in Montana, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $78,190 $6,516 $37.59
Early Career P25 $78,190 $6,516 $37.59
Mid-Career Median $78,230 $6,519 $37.61
Experienced P75 $78,230 $6,519 $37.61
Senior / Expert P90 $78,230 $6,519 $37.61
Key Insight

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Montana has a moderate salary progression with a 0% growth from entry-level ($78,190) to senior ($78,230). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($78,230) and P90 ($78,230) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Montana Compares to Other States

Where does Montana rank for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers senior-level salaries? Compare Montana's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$128,970
Entry: $60K
+115%
2
$102,020
Entry: $63K
+60%
3
$85,010
Entry: $46K
+84%
4
$84,330
Entry: $57K
+46%
5
$82,470
Entry: $35K
+132%
6
$81,020
Entry: $51K
+57%
7
$78,970
Entry: $52K
+49%
8
$78,450
Entry: $48K
+62%
9
$78,230
Entry: $78K
+0%
10
$76,870
Entry: $48K
+58%

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $78,190 per year, or $6,515 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $78,190. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers make?

Senior Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $78,230 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $78,230. This represents a career premium of 0% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?

The career salary growth potential for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss is 0%. Entry-level professionals start at $78,190, while senior-level can earn up to $78,230 — a difference of $40 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss is Montana, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $78,230 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Montana from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Montana.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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