Railroad Brake salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A railroad brake earns a median of $68,840 a year ($33.10 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $69,030. About 12,400 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $68,840
- Gross pay
- $2,647.69
- Federal income tax
- −$242.88
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$164.16
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$38.39
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $2,202.27
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $68,840
- Federal
- $6,315
- FICA
- $5,266
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $57,259
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Crane and Tower Operator: $68,080
- Wellhead Pumper: $69,960
- Flight Attendant: $63,580
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker: $62,890
- Pump Operator: $61,770
- Rail Yard Engineer: $60,600
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator: $77,320
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster: $78,000
BLS occupation: Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 53-4022). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a railroad brake make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $33.10; the average is $33.19.
What is the salary range for a railroad brake?
The bottom 10% earn under $45,660 and the top 10% earn over $86,590 a year.
How much is $68,840 after taxes?
About $57,259 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $54,082 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.