Illinois Median
$79,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $78,000
State Rank
#8 of 33
2,790 employed here
How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make in Illinois?
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois take home a median of $79,820 annually — roughly $38.38 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $78,000.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $63,290 while the top 10% make $134,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,980 and $96,120 a year.
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,290 | $30.43 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $76,980 | $37.01 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,820 | $38.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $96,120 | $46.21 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,440 | $64.63 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 8th 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 $79,900Florida $79,600Washington $79,040Michigan $78,960Minnesota $78,930Arizona $78,080Mississippi $78,010New Mexico $77,890Colorado $77,550Georgia $75,810South Carolina $73,660Tennessee $71,740California $69,950Texas $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($79,820) 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 Illinois?
The median Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Illinois is $79,820 per year, or about $38.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,290 at the entry level to $134,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters about 2% more than the national median of $78,000. Illinois ranks 8th out of 33 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,820 a year. About 2,790 Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary report
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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.