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Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary in Iowa
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers make in Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$80,910
Median Annual Salary
▲
+4.9% vs 2024
$74,180
Mean Salary
$80,910
Median Salary
$38.90
Hourly Rate
220 people work as Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary by percentile in Iowa
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa earn a median salary of $80,910 per year ($6,742/month).
This is 21.8% above the national average of $66,441.
Iowa ranks #3 out of 24 states for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers pay.
Approximately 220 people work in this occupation across Iowa.
Salaries increased by 4.9% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
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.
Salary Range: Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa
Salaries for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa range from $50,660 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $82,240 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $57,290 and $82,240.
Median $80,910
P10: $50,660P25: $57,290P75: $82,240P90: $82,240
10th
$50,660
25th
$57,290
Median
$80,910
75th
$82,240
90th
$82,240
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$50,660
$24.36
$4,221
25th Percentile
$57,290
$27.54
$4,774
Median (50th)
$80,910
$38.90
$6,742
75th Percentile
$82,240
$39.54
$6,853
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$82,240
$39.54
$6,853
Note: The mean (average) salary of $74,180 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#3
Iowa ranks #3 of 24 states
$66,441
National avg. for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
How much do Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers make in Iowa?
The median annual salary for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa is $80,910 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $74,180.
What is the salary range for a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa?
Salaries for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa range from $50,660 at the 10th percentile to $82,240 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $57,290 and $82,240.
What is the starting salary for a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa?
Entry-level Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers positions in Iowa typically start around $50,660 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $57,290 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 220 people are employed as Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Iowa is approximately $38.90 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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