Career overview

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

O*NET-SOC 53-4022.00

Median pay / yr$65,480

OutlookBelow Average

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.

What it takes

The skills, knowledge, and credentials employers look for in Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers.

Skills employers look for

MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.

Knowledge areas

TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.