California Median
$69,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $78,000
State Rank
#20 of 33
1,500 employed here
How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make in California?
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in California take home a median of $69,950 annually — roughly $33.63 an hour — which runs 10% below the national median of $78,000.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $69,230 while the top 10% make $113,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $69,230 and $77,630 a year.
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,230 | $33.28 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $69,230 | $33.28 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $69,950 | $33.63 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,630 | $37.32 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,680 | $54.65 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 20th out of 33 states and territories for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in other states
Oklahoma $102,260Pennsylvania $83,610Maryland $83,390Indiana $81,260Delaware $80,410New York $80,000Virginia $79,900Illinois $79,820Florida $79,600Washington $79,040Michigan $78,960Minnesota $78,930Arizona $78,080Mississippi $78,010New Mexico $77,890Colorado $77,550Georgia $75,810South Carolina $73,660Tennessee $71,740Texas $68,980Kansas $68,730Oregon $68,580Wyoming $68,430Missouri $68,030Arkansas $67,710South Dakota $62,730Louisiana $62,170Ohio $61,390Wisconsin $59,690North Carolina $58,930West Virginia $55,180Kentucky $52,380
Working as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in California
Nationally, about 46,000 people work as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($69,950) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make in California?
The median Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in California is $69,950 per year, or about $33.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $69,230 at the entry level to $113,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters about 10% less than the national median of $78,000. California ranks 20th out of 33 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $69,950 a year. About 1,500 Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters are employed in California. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary report
Related salaries
$69,960
median pay · 18,000 employed
$92,100
median pay · 25,000 employed
$56,850
median pay · 15,000 employed
$63,580
median pay · 132,000 employed
$58,870
median pay · 11,000 employed
$56,360
median pay · 1,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.