Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
SOC: 53-4031 O*NET: 53-4031.00
Median Salary
$74,080
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.1%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.
What does a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$53,490
10th percentile
Early Career
$63,480
25th percentile
Median
$74,080
50th percentile
Experienced
$82,060
75th percentile
Top Earners
$103,350
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$53,490
25th
$63,480
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$74,080
Mean: $75,490
75th
$82,060
90th
$103,350
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $49,860 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $63,480 and $82,060
- •Salary spread is 25.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 42,710 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:36,800
Top Industries
Rail Transportation87.5%
Rail Transportation87.5%
Support Activities for Transportation2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.1%
Annual Openings:3,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)36,800
Current
2034 (Projected)37,200
+1.1%
+400
Employment Change
+1.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 37 locations
New York
6,740 jobs$78,0502.55x
Texas
4,340 jobs$67,5801.13x
Pennsylvania
2,580 jobs$79,1801.55x
Illinois
2,570 jobs$75,9701.53x
Indiana
1,670 jobs$82,4601.89x
California
1,390 jobs$67,5500.28x
Georgia
1,370 jobs$61,9201.02x
Kansas
1,300 jobs$65,9403.28x
Florida
1,250 jobs$82,0600.46x
Nebraska
1,210 jobs$77,3304.31x
Iowa
1,080 jobs$76,6402.50x
Washington
1,020 jobs$61,8601.04x
Ohio
890 jobs$53,4900.58x
Tennessee
730 jobs$61,8900.80x
Michigan
660 jobs$73,7800.54x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Coordination
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Operations Monitoring
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Operation and Control
40%
Skills Overview
Coordination
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Operations Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Coordination
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters100%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels82%
5 shared skills
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers82%
5 shared skills
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals82%
5 shared skills
Hoist and Winch Operators82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Time Management
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Training & Development (7)Management & Supervision (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (2)General Responsibilities (3)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development100% perform100%
2
Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development97% perform98%
3
Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
7
Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.17
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.17
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.14
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.09
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.94
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.93
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.2
Integrity
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.1
Self-Control
4.1
Independence
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Concern for Others
3.8
Social Orientation
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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