How much does a railroad brake make in Chicago?
$72,180a year
Median yearly pay for railroad brakes in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $34.70 an hour or $6,015 a month.
- Hourly
- $34.70
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 3 of 5
- Jobs in the area
- 560
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $48,410Median: $72,180Highest 10%: $86,590
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,410 | $23.27 | |
| 25th | $48,410 | $23.27 | |
| Median | $72,180 | $34.70 | |
| 75th | $86,590 | $41.63 | |
| 90th | $86,590 | $41.63 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for railroad brakes.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $96,120 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $77,470 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $73,110 |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor | $70,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a railroad brake make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $34.70 ($72,180 a year).
Do railroad brakes make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $72,180 against $68,840 nationally, 5% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $76,290, so Chicago pays 5% less.
Where does Chicago rank for railroad brake pay?
3 of 5 metro areas with data.
How much does a railroad brake make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $48,410 or less a year; the top 10% make $86,590 or more.
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.