How much does a railroad brake make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $33.10 an hour or $5,737 a month.
- Hourly
- $33.10
- Average (mean)
- $69,030
- Jobs
- 12,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,660 | $21.95 | |
| 25th | $57,820 | $27.80 | |
| Median | $68,840 | $33.10 | |
| 75th | $76,590 | $36.82 | |
| 90th | $86,590 | $41.63 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Washington | $85,140 |
| New York | $83,530 |
| Iowa | $80,910 |
| Maryland | $79,180 |
| Illinois | $76,290 |
| Colorado | $76,140 |
| Georgia | $75,540 |
| New Jersey | $74,160 |
| New Mexico | $72,340 |
| Texas | $71,580 |
| Ohio | $67,770 |
| Missouri | $67,110 |
| Kansas | $66,990 |
| Michigan | $66,970 |
| Indiana | $64,530 |
| California | $58,770 |
| Florida | $58,250 |
| Kentucky | $56,410 |
| Alabama | $56,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,470 |
| North Carolina | $54,810 |
| Louisiana | $54,260 |
| West Virginia | $46,900 |
| Wyoming | $45,490 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Seattle, WA | $132,200 |
| New York, NY | $111,100 |
| Chicago, IL | $72,180 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $53,960 |
| Houston, TX | $47,750 |
In other countries
Railroad Brake belongs to the international group "Locomotive engine drivers".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Locomotive Engineer$81,410
- Rail Yard Engineer$60,600
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster$78,000
- Subway and Streetcar Operator$86,380
- Rail Transportation Worker$56,360
Frequently asked questions
How much does a railroad brake make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $33.10 ($68,840 a year).
How much does a railroad brake make a month?
About $5,737 a month before tax, based on a median of $68,840 a year.
How much does a railroad brake make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $45,660 or less a year ($21.95 an hour); the top 10% make $86,590 or more.
Which state pays railroad brakes the most?
Washington, with a median of $85,140 a year, followed by New York ($83,530) and Iowa ($80,910).
Which city pays railroad brakes the most?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, with a median of $132,200 a year.
How many railroad brakes are there in the United States?
About 12,400 people work as railroad brakes.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.