Also called: Switchman, Brakeman
Works in rail yards throwing switches, coupling cars, and guiding trains as they are sorted.
In a rail yard, a switch operator walks alongside cars, lines up switches by hand, connects air hoses between cars, and uses a radio to guide the locomotive engineer, day or night, in any weather.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. Railroads provide paid training.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 53-4022: Slower than average (1% to 2%).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Remote-control locomotives and automated hump yards already cut switching jobs; more automation is coming.
Classes: PE or fitness, Algebra I.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-4022.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.