Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$52,380
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-33% vs US median
US median $78,000
State Rank
#33 of 33
110 employed here

How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make in Kentucky?

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $52,380 per year, or about $25.18 per hour. That is 33% below the national median of $78,000 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $30,620 while the top 10% make $76,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,440 and $52,430 a year.

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$30,620$14.72
25th percentile (early career)$34,440$16.56
50th percentile (median)$52,380$25.18
75th percentile (experienced)$52,430$25.21
90th percentile (top earners)$76,280$36.67

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 33rd out of 33 states and territories for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

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

Working as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($52,380) 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 Kentucky?
The median Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Kentucky is $52,380 per year, or about $25.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,620 at the entry level to $76,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters about 33% less than the national median of $78,000. Kentucky ranks 33rd out of 33 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,380 a year. About 110 Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.