Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.
What it pays
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earn a median of $37.50/hr — about $78,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $28.24/hr; the top 10% earn $52.78/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earn a median of $37.50/hr — about $78,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $28.24/hr; the top 10% earn $52.78/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
- Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
- Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
- Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
- Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
- Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).
The feel of the work
Much of the work happens outdoors. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 0% of railroad conductors and yardmasters are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, organized and detail-focused and take-charge.
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Quick questions
- How much does a railroad conductors and yardmaster make?
- The median pay is $37.50 per hour — roughly $78,000 a year, with the real range running from about $28.24/hr (10th percentile) to $52.78/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a railroad conductors and yardmaster?
- The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).
- What does a railroad conductors and yardmaster actually do all day?
- Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals. Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions. Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.