How does Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary grow from entry-level to senior in North Carolina? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.
132% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2024 • North Carolina salary data • Updated 2026-04-06
The salary range for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in North Carolina spans from $35,550 at entry-level to $82,470 at senior level — a difference of $46,920 per year.
Senior Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss in North Carolina earn $46,920 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary increases with experience in North Carolina, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $35,550 | $2,962 | $17.09 |
| Early Career | P25 | $54,730 | $4,561 | $26.31 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $79,050 | $6,588 | $38.00 |
| Experienced | P75 | $82,460 | $6,872 | $39.64 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $82,470 | $6,872 | $39.65 |
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in North Carolina shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $35,550, while senior-level professionals earn $82,470 — a 132% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($79,050) and experienced level ($82,460), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.
Where does North Carolina rank for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers senior-level salaries? Compare North Carolina's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Entry-level Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $35,550 per year, or $2,962 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $54,730. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $82,470 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $82,460. This represents a career premium of 132% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss is 132%. Entry-level professionals start at $35,550, while senior-level can earn up to $82,470 — a difference of $46,920 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firerss is North Carolina, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $82,470 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
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.
Salary percentile data for North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS