Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
SOC Code: 53-4022 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,610 | $81,370 | $101,150 | $120,910 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $60,216 | $80,226 | $100,214 | $120,224 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $55,806 | $72,010 | $88,213 | $104,416 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $55,806 | $72,010 | $88,213 | $104,416 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $67,787 | $77,667 | $87,568 | $97,448 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $67,787 | $77,667 | $87,568 | $97,448 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $67,787 | $77,667 | $87,568 | $97,448 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $67,787 | $77,667 | $87,568 | $97,448 |
| Springfield, MA | $67,787 | $77,667 | $87,568 | $97,448 |
| Worcester, MA | $67,787 | $77,667 | $87,568 | $97,448 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.5 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.4 | |
| Active Listening | 3.2 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.2 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Transportation | 3.9 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.5 |
| Mechanical | 3.3 |
| English Language | 3.2 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 2.8 |
| Law and Government | 2.6 |
| Education and Training | 2.6 |
| Telecommunications | 2.4 |
Typical Tasks
- Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
- Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
- Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
- Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
- Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
- Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
- Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
- Operate locomotives in emergency situations.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Google Android Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Electronic train management system software Electronic train management systems ETMS Route mapping software Time tracking software
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