Shigoto Zukan
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Will AI replace Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?AI replacement risk 29% and how the work is changing

United States Transportation Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$68,840
25th–75th pct. $57,820–$76,590
Top pay (est.)
$112,600
Top 10% $86,590
Pay in 5 years
$79,800est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$92,500est.
$79,500–$107,400
Outlook score
47/100
★★☆☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
29%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+0.8%
900 openings / yr

Will AI replace Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers? AI replacement risk

29%
Low
Ranked #240 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

Key skills

Operation and Control
3.1
Monitoring
3.1
Operations Monitoring
3.1
Coordination
2.9
Critical Thinking
2.9
Time Management
2.6
Social Perceptiveness
2.5
Judgment and Decision Making
2.5

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Transportation
5.3
Public Safety and Security
4.8
Customer and Personal Service
4.2
English Language
3.9
Administration and Management
3.6
Education and Training
3.5
Telecommunications
2.8
Computers and Electronics
2.6

What the work involves

Performing General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsTraining and Teaching Others

Important abilities

Reaction TimeControl PrecisionFar VisionExtent FlexibilityOral ComprehensionResponse Orientation

Training before entry

3–6 months
40%
6–12 months
23%
1–3 months
6%
2–4 years
5%
4–10 years
5%
Up to 1 month
2%

Related work experience

1–2 years
26%
2–4 years
24%
1–3 months
4%
None
3%
Over 10 years
1%
4–6 years
1%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.