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Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers Salary in Ohio: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary really buy you in Ohio?

Ohio is 8.5% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$67,770
Median annual (2025)
+9.3%
Real Purchasing Power
$74,065
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.5)

Ohio Cost of Living Index

Ohio's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.5, meaning prices are 8.5% lower the national average. A Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers earning $67,770 in Ohio has the equivalent purchasing power of $74,065 in an average-cost US state.

OH: 91.5
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Ohio's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $49,600 $54,207 +$4,607
25th Percentile (P25) $49,640 $54,251 +$4,611
Median (P50) $67,770 $74,065 +$6,295
75th Percentile (P75) $70,210 $76,732 +$6,522
90th Percentile (P90) $70,430 $76,972 +$6,542
Key Insight

A Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Ohio earns $67,770 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $74,065 in an average-cost state. This makes Ohio one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Ohio Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.5

Ohio's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.5 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.5% less than the national average. For a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+9.3%

After applying Ohio's RPP, the $67,770 median salary translates to $74,066 in real terms — a 9.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#10 / 24

Ohio sits at #10 of 24 states for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Iowa
$91,527
RPP 88.4
$79,494
RPP 91.0
3. Georgia
$78,851
RPP 95.8
$77,630
RPP 107.6
$77,540
RPP 109.8
$75,409
RPP 105.0
$75,310
RPP 101.3
8. Kansas
$74,433
RPP 90.0
$74,428
RPP 102.3
10. Ohio
$74,065
RPP 91.5

Ohio ranks #10 out of 24 states for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers take-home pay in Ohio after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Ohio after cost of living?

A Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Ohio earns a median salary of $67,770 per year. After adjusting for Ohio's cost of living (RPP=91.5), the real purchasing power is $74,065 — a +9.3% difference.

Is Ohio expensive to live in?

Ohio's cost of living is 8.5% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Ohio is 91.5 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Ohio: $67,770 x (100 / 91.5) = $74,065. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Ohio financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers in Ohio enjoys 9.3% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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