Installation & Repair

How much does a signal and track switch repairer make?

The median signal and track switch repairer in the United States earns $83,600 per year, about $40.19 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all signal and track switch repairers earn more, and half earn less.

Median annual salary
$83,600
Median hourly wage
$40.19 /hr
Employed in the U.S.
8,210

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-9097.

Signal and track switch repairer salary range

Pay for signal and track switch repairers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $57,410 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $104,860. The average (mean) wage of $84,940 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th percentile $57,410 $27.60 Lowest paid
25th percentile $75,680 $36.38
Median (50th) $83,600 $40.19 Midpoint
75th percentile $95,620 $45.97
90th percentile $104,860 $50.41 Highest paid

Figures are national wage estimates for signal and track switch repairers (SOC 49-9097), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.

Signal and track switch repairer salary by state

Where you work changes the paycheck. Signal and track switch repairers earn the most in Massachusetts at $101,800 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $55,110. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.

State Median annual Employed
Massachusetts $101,800 130
New York $92,280 1,880
Washington $92,080 170
Indiana $89,110 160
Illinois $87,250 630
Missouri $84,240 220
Kansas $83,860 140
Texas $83,000 670
California $82,650 350
Wisconsin $82,060 160
Colorado $81,790 130
Oregon $81,180 80
New Jersey $80,880 250
Michigan $80,040 110
Minnesota $79,370 40
Florida $79,270 300
Tennessee $78,650 90
Arizona $76,830 80
Virginia $75,840 110
North Carolina $74,320 30
Ohio $57,410 160
Georgia $56,130 620
Kentucky $55,110 60

State median wages for signal and track switch repairers (SOC 49-9097), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.

Job outlook for signal and track switch repairers

The BLS projects employment of signal and track switch repairers to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 8,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 8,900 by 2035.

Across the decade, the BLS expects about 800 openings a year for signal and track switch repairers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).

How to become a signal and track switch repairer

The typical entry-level education for signal and track switch repairers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.

A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .

Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.

What affects how much a signal and track switch repairer earns

Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.

Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $101,800) and the lowest (Kentucky, $55,110) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.

About 8,210 people work as signal and track switch repairers in the United States. At $83,600 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.

Signal and track switch repairer salary FAQ

How much does a signal and track switch repairer make an hour?

The median hourly wage for a signal and track switch repairer is $40.19. The middle half of signal and track switch repairers earn between $36.38 and $45.97 per hour.

What is the highest signal and track switch repairer salary?

The highest paid 10 percent of signal and track switch repairers earn more than $104,860 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.

How much does a signal and track switch repairer make a year?

The median annual salary for a signal and track switch repairer is $83,600. The average (mean) wage of $84,940 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.

Is being a signal and track switch repairer a well paid job?

At $83,600 a year, a signal and track switch repairer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 8,210 people work as signal and track switch repairers in the United States.

Which state pays signal and track switch repairers the most?

Massachusetts has the highest median salary for signal and track switch repairers at $101,800 a year. New York ($92,280) and Washington ($92,080) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.

Is being a signal and track switch repairer a good career?

Employment of signal and track switch repairers is projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.

Do you need a degree to become a signal and track switch repairer?

No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for signal and track switch repairers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.

Related salaries

See more in Installation & Repair salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.

Sources. National and state wage and employment figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 and the OEWS state files. Growth, openings, education, and training: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2025–2035). Every figure on this page is published by the BLS and is shown without adjustment. View the originals at bls.gov/oes and bls.gov/emp. Last updated 2025-04-02.