SOC 53-4022
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ57/100
Elevated
US Employment
๐ฅ12,460
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$65K
$44K โ $81K
Projected Growth
๐+1%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค38/100
Moderate exposure
๐ก Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers face a risk score of 57/100 โ 13 points above the national average of 44. With only 38/100 GenAI exposure, most core tasks remain resistant to current AI capabilities. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $65K ($19K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 57/100, Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like autonomous vehicle and self-driving truck technology are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 12,460 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in navigating complex urban environments with obstacles and customer interaction and conflict resolution during delivery to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
Autonomous vehicle and self-driving truck technology
AI route optimization reducing dispatcher roles
Drone delivery displacing last-mile logistics workers
Automated warehouse sorting and loading systems
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Navigating complex urban environments with obstacles
Customer interaction and conflict resolution during delivery
Navigating unpredictable road and weather conditions
Manual loading of irregular and fragile cargo
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
๐ป Technology Skills
Data base user interface and query software
Expert system software
Spreadsheet software
Electronic mail software
Route navigation software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Transportation
Public Safety and Security
Mechanical
English Language
Customer and Personal Service
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | 25 | $62K | 84% |
| Air Transportation Workers | 31 | $107K | 82% |
| Ship Engineers | 33 | $101K | 78% |