Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Salary in Tennessee (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$71,740
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $78,000
State Rank
#19 of 33
790 employed here

How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make in Tennessee?

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Tennessee take home a median of $71,740 annually — roughly $34.49 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $78,000.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $47,220 while the top 10% make $92,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,190 and $73,100 a year.

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,220$22.70
25th percentile (early career)$62,190$29.90
50th percentile (median)$71,740$34.49
75th percentile (experienced)$73,100$35.14
90th percentile (top earners)$92,980$44.70

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 19th 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee pay ($71,740) 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 Tennessee?
The median Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Tennessee is $71,740 per year, or about $34.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,220 at the entry level to $92,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters about 8% less than the national median of $78,000. Tennessee ranks 19th out of 33 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $71,740 a year. About 790 Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.