How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make?
The median pay for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in the United States is $78,000 per year — about $37.50 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $58,740, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $109,770.
That is $16,610 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary range by percentile
Half of all Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earn between $65,610 and $83,820 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,740 | $28.24 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,610 | $31.54 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,000 | $37.50 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $83,820 | $40.30 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,770 | $52.77 |
Highest-paying states for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Oklahoma leads the country for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay at $102,260 a year, followed by Pennsylvania ($83,610) and Maryland ($83,390). At the other end, Kentucky posts the lowest median at $52,380 — a gap of $49,880 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | $102,260 | $49.16 | +31% |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $83,610 | $40.20 | +7% |
| 3 | Maryland | $83,390 | $40.09 | +7% |
| 4 | Indiana | $81,260 | $39.07 | +4% |
| 5 | Delaware | $80,410 | $38.66 | +3% |
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 33 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 46,000 people work as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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Related salaries
Other transportation roles with similar pay.