Railroad Conductors & Yardmasters

Also Called: Conductor, Freight Conductor, Railroad Conductor, Yardmaster

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$54,610

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Railroad Conductors & Yardmasters do

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.

  • Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
  • Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
  • Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
Industry Areas:

Transportation

Training Program Areas:

Material Distribution Operations • OCT-Only Transportation • Transportation Office Support

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  • Duration of Typical Work Week
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Tools

  • Specialty wrenches
  • Radio frequency identification devices
  • Bar code reader equipment
  • Rail switching systems
  • Truck or rail scales

Technology

Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Industrial control software
Automated equipment identification AEI software
Softrail AEI Automatic Yard Tracking System
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
Bourque Data Systems YardMaster
Freight reservation software

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Coordination
  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening

Knowledge

Safety and Government
public safety and security
law and government
Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Arts and Humanities
English language
Education and Training
teaching and course design

Education

  • 86% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 8% Post-secondary certificate
  • 6% Associate's degree

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Railroad Conductors & Yardmasters Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Executive Secretaries & Executive Administrative Assistants

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Brokerage Clerks

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

  • Atlanta - Job Corps

    Atlanta, Georgia

  • Excelsior Springs - Job Corps

    Excelsior Springs, Missouri

ACT & College

  • Central Arizona College

    Coolidge, AZ

  • CET-Rancho Temecula

    Temecula, CA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Enterprising (Persuader)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Independence
  • Cooperation

Values

  • Support
  • Independence
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Attention
  • Hearing and Speech

This is what Railroad Conductors & Yardmasters across the country typically make.

$26.25 / hour
$54,610 /year

Entry Level

$34.20 / hour
$71,130 /year

Median Level

$47.70 / hour
$99,210 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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