How much does a railroad conductor and yardmaster make?
The median railroad conductor and yardmaster in the United States earns $78,000 per year, about $37.50 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all railroad conductors and yardmasters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-4031.
Railroad conductor and yardmaster salary range
Pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $58,740 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $109,770. The average (mean) wage of $79,100 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 | $58,740 | $28.24 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $65,610 | $31.54 | |
| Median (50th) | $78,000 | $37.50 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $83,820 | $40.30 | |
| 90th percentile | $109,770 | $52.78 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for railroad conductors and yardmasters (SOC 53-4031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Railroad conductor and yardmaster salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Railroad conductors and yardmasters earn the most in Oklahoma at $102,260 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $52,380. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $102,260 | 310 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,610 | 2,750 |
| Maryland | $83,390 | 300 |
| Indiana | $81,260 | 1,720 |
| Delaware | $80,410 | N/A |
| New York | $80,000 | 6,980 |
| Virginia | $79,900 | 900 |
| Illinois | $79,820 | 2,790 |
| Florida | $79,600 | 760 |
| Washington | $79,040 | 810 |
| Michigan | $78,960 | 760 |
| Minnesota | $78,930 | 830 |
| Arizona | $78,080 | 460 |
| Mississippi | $78,010 | 440 |
| New Mexico | $77,890 | 400 |
| Colorado | $77,550 | 490 |
| Georgia | $75,810 | 1,740 |
| South Carolina | $73,660 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $71,740 | 790 |
| California | $69,950 | 1,500 |
| Texas | $68,980 | 4,640 |
| Kansas | $68,730 | 1,200 |
| Oregon | $68,580 | 390 |
| Wyoming | $68,430 | N/A |
| Missouri | $68,030 | 970 |
| Arkansas | $67,710 | 390 |
| South Dakota | $62,730 | 90 |
| Louisiana | $62,170 | 390 |
| Ohio | $61,390 | 1,480 |
| Wisconsin | $59,690 | 630 |
| North Carolina | $58,930 | N/A |
| West Virginia | $55,180 | 320 |
| Kentucky | $52,380 | 110 |
State median wages for railroad conductors and yardmasters (SOC 53-4031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for railroad conductors and yardmasters
The BLS projects employment of railroad conductors and yardmasters to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 38,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 39,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,000 openings a year for railroad conductors and yardmasters. 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 railroad conductor and yardmaster
The typical entry-level education for railroad conductors and yardmasters 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 railroad conductor and yardmaster earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oklahoma, $102,260) and the lowest (Kentucky, $52,380) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 46,440 people work as railroad conductors and yardmasters in the United States. At $78,000 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Railroad conductor and yardmaster salary FAQ
How much does a railroad conductor and yardmaster make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a railroad conductor and yardmaster is $37.50. The middle half of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn between $31.54 and $40.30 per hour.
What is the highest railroad conductor and yardmaster salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn more than $109,770 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a railroad conductor and yardmaster make a year?
The median annual salary for a railroad conductor and yardmaster is $78,000. The average (mean) wage of $79,100 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 railroad conductor and yardmaster a well paid job?
At $78,000 a year, a railroad conductor and yardmaster earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 46,440 people work as railroad conductors and yardmasters in the United States.
Which state pays railroad conductors and yardmasters the most?
Oklahoma has the highest median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters at $102,260 a year. Pennsylvania ($83,610) and Maryland ($83,390) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a railroad conductor and yardmaster a good career?
Employment of railroad conductors and yardmasters is projected to hold roughly steady 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a railroad conductor and yardmaster?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for railroad conductors and yardmasters as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Transportation salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.