53 Series · SOC 53-4031

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$78,000
Median / year
$109,770
Top 10% earn
+1.1%
Growth '23–'33
46,440
US workers

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earn a median of $78,000 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $78,000, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $58,740 (10th percentile) to $109,770 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 46,440 US workers. Oklahoma pays the most ($102,260), since pay varies by state and metro area.

53 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earn a median of $78,000, putting them above the typical US occupation and higher than 70% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Transportation and Material Moving, it ranks #9 of 50 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 1.1% by 2033.

$78,000
Median annual wage
Top 30%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#9 of 50
in Transportation and Material Moving
1.9×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Oklahoma at $102,260. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters (SOC 53-4031) pays a national median of $78,000 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $58,740 at the 10th percentile to $109,770 at the 90th, with a mean of $79,100 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 46,440 Americans work in this occupation across 33 reporting states and 7 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +1.1% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 3,100 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of C for this role, with a fatality rate of 17.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 4.8 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Oklahoma pays the highest state median at $102,260, which is +31% above the national figure. The top metro is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN at $96,120 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 46,440 jobs Median $78,000/yr

Median Salary

$78,000

per year

Median Hourly

$37.50/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$79,100

average

Employment

46,440

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$78,000 Top 30% higher than 70% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). This entry sits in this band. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 53-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 24 53-series occupations with growth data, Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters sits on the slower-growing side at +1.1% growth and $78,000 median pay.

Among 24 53-series occupations with growth data, Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters sits on the slower-growing side at +1.1% growth and $78,000 median pay. Scatter plot of 24 data points. $0$50000$100000$150000$200000$250000 -20%-10%0%10%20% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 24 53-series occupations with growth data, Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters sits on the slower-growing side at +1.1% growth and $78,000 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+1.1%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

3,100

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
C

Moderate Risk

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

17.5/100K

Injury Rate

4.8/100

Danger Index

28/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Speaking 3.8
Monitoring 3.8
Coordination 3.8
Critical Thinking 3.6
Active Listening 3.5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.5
Time Management 3.5
Operations Monitoring 3.4
Complex Problem Solving 3.3
Operation and Control 3.3

Knowledge Areas

Public Safety and Security 4.0
Transportation 4.0
English Language 3.5
Education and Training 3.1
Law and Government 3.0
Customer and Personal Service 2.9
Telecommunications 2.9
Mechanical 2.9
Computers and Electronics 2.8
Mathematics 2.7

Key Tasks

  • ▸ 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.
  • ▸ Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops.
  • ▸ 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.
  • ▸ Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.
  • ▸ Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.
  • ▸ Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$58,740$65,610$78,000$83,820$109,770
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$28.24$31.54$37.50$40.30$52.78
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$58,740

25th Percentile

$65,610

Median

$78,000

75th Percentile

$83,820

90th Percentile

$109,770

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Oklahoma $102,260 2. Pennsylvania $83,610 3. Maryland $83,390 4. Indiana $81,260 5. Delaware $80,410

Lowest Paying States

29. Kentucky $52,380 30. West Virginia $55,180 31. North Carolina $58,930 32. Wisconsin $59,690 33. Ohio $61,390
View all 33 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Oklahoma $102,260 +31% above national
2 Pennsylvania $83,610 +7% above national
3 Maryland $83,390 +7% above national
4 Indiana $81,260 +4% above national
5 Delaware $80,410 +3% above national
6 New York $80,000 +3% above national
7 Virginia $79,900 +2% above national
8 Illinois $79,820 +2% above national
9 Florida $79,600 +2% above national
10 Washington $79,040 +1% above national
11 Michigan $78,960 +1% above national
12 Minnesota $78,930 +1% above national
13 Arizona $78,080 same as national
14 Mississippi $78,010 same as national
15 New Mexico $77,890 same as national
16 Colorado $77,550 1% below national
17 Georgia $75,810 3% below national
18 South Carolina $73,660 6% below national
19 Tennessee $71,740 8% below national
20 California $69,950 10% below national
21 Texas $68,980 12% below national
22 Kansas $68,730 12% below national
23 Oregon $68,580 12% below national
24 Wyoming $68,430 12% below national
25 Missouri $68,030 13% below national
26 Arkansas $67,710 13% below national
27 South Dakota $62,730 20% below national
28 Louisiana $62,170 20% below national
29 Ohio $61,390 21% below national
30 Wisconsin $59,690 23% below national
31 North Carolina $58,930 24% below national
32 West Virginia $55,180 29% below national
33 Kentucky $52,380 33% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $96,120 2. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $92,400 3. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $80,000 4. Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $59,790 5. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $46,440

Lowest Paying Metros

3. Savannah, GA $38,020 4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $45,600 5. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $46,440 6. Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $59,790 7. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $80,000
View all 7 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $96,120 +23% above national
2 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $92,400 +18% above national
3 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $80,000 +3% above national
4 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $59,790 23% below national
5 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $46,440 40% below national
6 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $45,600 42% below national
7 Savannah, GA $38,020 51% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 53 (transportation and material moving) with comparable pay and career paths.

Air Traffic Controllers

SOC 53-2021

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

SOC 53-1041

Aircraft Service Attendants

SOC 53-6032

Airfield Operations Specialists

SOC 53-2022

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

SOC 53-2011
Compare Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make? ▼
The median annual salary for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters is $78,000 ($37.50/hour). The salary range spans from $58,740 at the 10th percentile to $109,770 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters the most? ▼
Oklahoma pays the highest median salary for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters at $102,260/year, which is +31% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters? ▼
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters has a safety grade of C (Moderate Risk) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 17.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 4.8 per 100 workers.
Is Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters a good career? ▼
Employment for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters is projected to grow 1.1% from 2024 to 2034, which is slower than average. About 3,100 openings are projected each year.
How does Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay vary by state? ▼
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Oklahoma at $102,260/year, while Ohio pays the least at $61,390/year. BLS data covers 33 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN at $96,120/year. BLS reports wage data for 7 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $83,820/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Oklahoma leads at $102,260/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.