Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster Salary
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earn a median $78,000 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What railroad conductors and yardmasters do
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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.9% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 3,000
Employment of railroad conductors and yardmasters is projected to grow 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,330
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,836
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,131
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$63,703
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,740 | $28.24 | $49,378 |
| 25th percentile | $65,610 | $31.54 | $54,898 |
| Median (50th) | $78,000 | $37.50 | $63,703 |
| 75th percentile | $83,820 | $40.30 | $67,797 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,770 | $52.77 | $86,053 |
Best cities for railroad conductors and yardmasters (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $80,000 | $61,387 | $54,536 | 3,800 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $80,000
Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $102,260 | +34.5% | $76,714 | $51,360 – $128,140 | 310 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,610 | +5.6% | $65,083 | $58,990 – $83,870 | 2,750 |
| Maryland | $83,390 | +6.7% | $63,897 | $65,300 – $97,510 | 300 |
| Indiana | $81,260 | −1.5% | $63,629 | $64,240 – $96,820 | 1,720 |
| Delaware | $80,410 | −0.7% | $61,432 | $74,530 – $130,710 | — |
| New York | $80,000 | +2.5% | $61,387 | $65,610 – $109,770 | 6,980 |
| Virginia | $79,900 | +4.1% | $61,260 | $63,860 – $79,900 | 900 |
| Illinois | $79,820 | +5.1% | $61,177 | $63,290 – $134,440 | 2,790 |
| Florida | $79,600 | −3.0% | $64,829 | $50,430 – $121,460 | 760 |
| Washington | $79,040 | +27.8% | $64,435 | $63,880 – $120,630 | 810 |
| Michigan | $78,960 | +7.0% | $61,273 | $58,850 – $92,710 | 760 |
| Minnesota | $78,930 | +9.7% | $60,513 | $78,800 – $91,400 | 830 |
| Arizona | $78,080 | +5.3% | $62,016 | $62,930 – $121,330 | 460 |
| Mississippi | $78,010 | — | $61,322 | $49,030 – $137,590 | 440 |
| New Mexico | $77,890 | +12.1% | $61,130 | $64,890 – $77,890 | 400 |
| Colorado | $77,550 | +10.8% | $60,683 | $59,020 – $123,860 | 490 |
| Georgia | $75,810 | +22.4% | $58,851 | $46,450 – $126,950 | 1,740 |
| South Carolina | $73,660 | +1.6% | $57,387 | $73,660 – $73,660 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $71,740 | +15.9% | $59,299 | $47,220 – $92,980 | 790 |
| California | $69,950 | +3.6% | $54,747 | $69,230 – $113,680 | 1,500 |
| Texas | $68,980 | +2.1% | $57,357 | $45,680 – $79,400 | 4,640 |
| Kansas | $68,730 | +4.2% | $54,146 | $49,190 – $71,400 | 1,200 |
| Oregon | $68,580 | +2.5% | $51,905 | $59,160 – $77,160 | 390 |
| Wyoming | $68,430 | +2.5% | $56,971 | $68,430 – $107,560 | — |
| Missouri | $68,030 | +2.5% | $54,429 | $59,990 – $68,590 | 970 |
| Arkansas | $67,710 | +2.5% | $54,036 | $47,210 – $83,290 | 390 |
| South Dakota | $62,730 | +1.4% | $52,584 | $46,320 – $80,580 | 90 |
| Louisiana | $62,170 | — | $50,655 | $45,240 – $71,850 | 390 |
| Ohio | $61,390 | +14.8% | $50,601 | $61,340 – $67,600 | 1,480 |
| Wisconsin | $59,690 | −11.8% | $48,296 | $50,540 – $74,500 | 630 |
| North Carolina | $58,930 | +5.5% | $47,688 | $52,040 – $92,220 | — |
| West Virginia | $55,180 | −11.2% | $44,766 | $46,570 – $99,330 | 320 |
| Kentucky | $52,380 | +1.6% | $42,552 | $30,620 – $76,280 | 110 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.5% |
| Subway and Streetcar Operator | $86,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $68,840 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $60,600 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $56,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.4% |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator | $77,320 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.1% |
| Wellhead Pumper | $69,960 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.0% |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.8% |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a railroad conductor and yardmaster make?
The national median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters is $78,000 a year ($37.50 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $58,740 and the top 10% earn over $109,770. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays railroad conductors and yardmasters the most?
Oklahoma has the highest median pay at $102,260. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters are there in the U.S.?
About 46,440 people work as railroad conductors and yardmasters nationwide.