Railroad Conductors and Yardmaster Salary in 2026
How Much Do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Make?
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earn a median annual salary of $74,080 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $53,490 at the 10th percentile to $103,350 at the 90th percentile — a range of $49,860. The highest-paying state is Indiana at $82,460.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,490 |
| 25th percentile | $63,480 |
| Median (50th) | $74,080 |
| 75th percentile | $82,060 |
| 90th percentile | $103,350 |
Railroad Conductors and Yardmaster Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Indianatop | $82,460 |
| Florida | $82,060 |
| Delaware | $80,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,180 |
| Maryland | $78,190 |
| New York | $78,050 |
| Nebraska | $77,330 |
| Virginia | $76,720 |
| Iowa | $76,640 |
| Oklahoma | $76,040 |
| Montana | $75,990 |
| Illinois | $75,970 |
| Arizona | $74,160 |
| Michigan | $73,780 |
| South Carolina | $72,520 |
| Minnesota | $71,930 |
| Idaho | $70,210 |
| Colorado | $70,000 |
| New Mexico | $69,460 |
| Wisconsin | $67,670 |
| Texas | $67,580 |
| California | $67,550 |
| Oregon | $66,910 |
| Wyoming | $66,760 |
| Missouri | $66,370 |
| Arkansas | $66,070 |
| Kansas | $65,940 |
| New Hampshire | $62,160 |
| West Virginia | $62,120 |
| Georgia | $61,920 |
| Tennessee | $61,890 |
| South Dakota | $61,860 |
| Washington | $61,860 |
| North Carolina | $55,880 |
| Ohio | $53,490 |
| Kentucky | $51,570 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Railroad Conductors and Yardmaster Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$53,490 – $63,480 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$74,080 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$82,060 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $103,350+ |
How to Earn More as a Railroad Conductors and Yardmaster
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earn $85,560 — $11,480 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($82,060) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Railroad Conductors and Yardmaster Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasterthis career | $74,080 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $82,320 |
| Dispatcher | $48,880 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $49,070 |
| Signal and Track Switch Repairer | $83,600 |
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SOC: 53-4031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.