Overview
1. Automation Risk
2. User Poll
3. Growth
4. Wages
5. Volume
Decription
Resources
Comments

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

Imminent Risk
87%
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AUTOMATION RISK
CALCULATED
87%
(Imminent Risk)
POLLING
There hasn't been enough votes on this occupation yet
LABOR DEMAND
GROWTH
1.5%
by year 2033
WAGES
$63,540
or $30.55 per hour
Volume
13,610
as of 2023
SUMMARY
JOB SCORE
3.2/10

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Calculated automation risk

87% (Imminent Risk)

Imminent Risk (81-100%): Occupations in this level have an extremely high likelihood of being automated in the near future. These jobs consist primarily of repetitive, predictable tasks with little need for human judgment.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Some quite important qualities of the job are difficult to automate:

  • Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

  • Manual Dexterity

  • Finger Dexterity

User poll

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?






Growth

Slow growth relative to other professions.

The number of 'Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers' job openings is expected to rise 1.5% by 2033

Total employment, and estimated job openings

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2021 and 2031
Updated projections are due 09-2024.

Wages

Moderately paid relative to other professions

In 2023, the median annual wage for 'Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers' was $63,540, or $30 per hour

'Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers' were paid 32.2% higher than the national median wage, which stood at $48,060

Wages over time

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Volume

Significantly lower range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2023 there were 13,610 people employed as 'Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers' within the United States.

This represents around < 0.001% of the employed workforce across the country

Put another way, around 1 in 11 thousand people are employed as 'Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers'.

Job description

Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.

SOC Code: 53-4022.00

Resources

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